Shloka 4
Garuḍa, the Brāhmaṇa’s Release, and Kaśyapa’s Counsel
Gajakacchapa-ākhyāna Prelude
नागानामालयं भद्रे सुरम्यं चारुदर्शनम् समुद्रकुक्षावेकान्ते तत्र मां विनते नय,“कल्याणी विनते! समुद्रके भीतर निर्जन प्रदेशमें एक बहुत रमणीय तथा देखनेमें अत्यन्त मनोहर नागोंका निवासस्थान है। तू वहाँ मुझे ले चल”
pitāmaha uvāca |
nāgānām ālayaṃ bhadre suramyaṃ cārudarśanam |
samudrakukṣāv ekānte tatra māṃ vinate naya ||
kalyāṇī vinate! samudrake bhitar nirjana pradeśameṃ eka bahut ramaṇīya tathā dekhane meṃ atyanta manohara nāgoṃ kā nivāsasthāna hai; tvaṃ vahāṃ mujhe le cala |
“โอ้วินตาผู้เจริญ! ในครรภ์แห่งมหาสมุทร ณ ที่ลี้ลับอันสงัด มีที่พำนักของเหล่านาค งดงามยิ่งและน่าชมยิ่งนัก โอ้ผู้เป็นมงคล จงพาเราไปที่นั่นเถิด”
पितामह उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a narrative ethic of duty and responsiveness: an elder issues a clear directive to Vinatā, and the scene frames obedience and guidance within a respectful address (bhadre, kalyāṇī), suggesting that authority is ideally exercised with courtesy and clarity.
Pitāmaha informs Vinatā of a splendid, secluded dwelling of the Nāgas located deep within the ocean and instructs her to take him there, setting up a movement toward a significant mythic location connected with serpent-beings.