Shloka 12
Śṛṅgī’s Curse on King Parikṣit
Parikṣit–Śṛṅgī–Takṣaka Causal Link
अपरे त्वब्रुवन् नागास्तत्र पण्डितमानिन: । मन्त्रिणोउस्य वयं सर्वे भविष्याम: सुसम्मता:,अपनेको बड़ा भारी पण्डित माननेवाले दूसरे नागोंने कहा--'हम सब लोग जनमेजयके विश्वासपात्र मन्त्री बन जायँगे
apare tv abruvan nāgās tatra paṇḍita-māninaḥ | mantriṇo 'sya vayaṁ sarve bhaviṣyāmaḥ susammatāḥ ||
แล้วพญานาคอีกพวกหนึ่ง ผู้หลงตนว่าเป็นบัณฑิต กล่าวขึ้นว่า “พวกเราทั้งหมดจักเป็นเสนาบดีผู้เป็นที่ไว้วางพระทัย ได้รับความเห็นชอบและยกย่อง”
शेष उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse cautions against paṇḍita-māna (self-conceit in learning) and shows how ambition can seek legitimacy by becoming “trusted advisers.” It implicitly raises an ethical question: counsel should be grounded in dharma and sincerity, not in pride or covert agendas.
A faction of nāgas proposes a political tactic: to gain access and influence by becoming the king’s approved ministers. This is presented as a deliberate plan formed in their assembly, setting up later consequences in the surrounding episode.