Shloka 6
कर्कोटक-उपदेशः
Karkoṭaka’s Counsel and Nala’s Concealment
शकक््यसे ता गिर: सम्यक् कर्तु मयि नरेश्वर । यास्तेषां लोकपालानां संनिधौ कथिता: पुरा,“नरेश्वर! आपने पहले स्वयंवरसभामें उन लोकपालोंके निकट जो बातें कहीं थीं, क्या आप उन्हें आज मेरे प्रति सत्य सिद्ध कर सकेंगे?
śakyase tā giraḥ samyak kartu mayi nareśvara | yās teṣāṃ lokapālānāṃ sannidhau kathitāḥ purā ||
நரேஸ்வரா! முன்பு அந்த லோகபாலர்களின் முன்னிலையில் நீர் கூறிய சொற்களை, இன்று என்னிடத்தில் உண்மையெனச் சரியாக நிறைவேற்ற இயலுமா?
ब॒हृदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores accountability for one’s speech: a king’s words, especially those spoken publicly before exalted witnesses, must be capable of being fulfilled and verified. Ethical kingship is tied to truthfulness and the ability to ‘make good’ one’s claims.
Bṛhadaśva challenges the king by recalling earlier statements made in a formal setting before the Lokapālas. He asks whether the king can now substantiate those prior words in his dealings with Bṛhadaśva, pressing him to uphold his earlier declaration.