Shloka 136
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 3 — Janamejaya’s Rite, Dhaumya’s Parīkṣā, and Uttanka’s Kuṇḍala Quest (सर्पसत्रप्रस्तावना–गुरुपरीक्षा–उत्तङ्कोपाख्यान)
बहूनि नागवेश्मानि गज्जायास्तीर उत्तरे । तत्रस्थानपि संस्तौमि महतः पन्नगानहम्,गंगाजीके उत्तर तटपर बहुत-से नागोंके घर हैं, वहाँ रहनेवाले बड़े-बड़े सर्पोकी भी मैं स्तुति करता हूँ
bahūni nāgaveśmāni gaṅgāyās tīra uttare | tatrasthān api saṁstomi mahataḥ pannagān aham ||
“Sa hilagang pampang ng Gaṅgā ay maraming tahanan ng mga Nāga. Pinupuri ko rin ang mga dakilang ahas na naninirahan doon.”
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models respectful conduct: when encountering the realm of powerful beings (here, the Nāgas by the Gaṅgā), one should speak with reverence rather than arrogance, recognizing others’ strength and rightful place.
The speaker (Rāma) notes that many Nāga dwellings lie on the northern bank of the Gaṅgā and declares that he offers praise to the great serpents living there, as a courteous acknowledgment while referring to that region.