Shloka 153
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 3 — Janamejaya’s Rite, Dhaumya’s Parīkṣā, and Uttanka’s Kuṇḍala Quest (सर्पसत्रप्रस्तावना–गुरुपरीक्षा–उत्तङ्कोपाख्यान)
ताभिनागलोक उपधूपितेड्थ सम्भ्रान्तस्तक्षकोड्ग्नेस्तेजोभयाद्ू_ विषण्ण: कुण्डले गृहीत्वा सहसा भवनान्निष्क्रम्योत्तड़कमुवाच,उस समय सारा नागलोक धूएँसे भर गया। फिर तो तक्षक घबरा गया और आगकी ज्वालाके भयसे दुःखी हो दोनों कुण्डल लिये सहसा घरसे निकल आया और उत्तंकसे बोला --
tābhi nāgaloko upadhūpito 'bhūt | sambhrāntas takṣako 'gnes tejobhayād viṣaṇṇaḥ kuṇḍale gṛhītvā sahasā bhavanān niṣkramyottankaṃ uvāca |
Nang mabalot ng usok ang buong kaharian ng mga Nāga at halos hindi na makahinga, nataranta si Takṣaka. Dahil sa takot sa naglalagablab na apoy, kinuha niya ang pares ng hikaw at, biglang lumabas mula sa kanyang tirahan, saka hinarap at kinausap si Uttanka.
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
Unjust gain and deception are unstable: when confronted by righteous determination and the consequences it can invoke, the wrongdoer is driven toward restitution. The verse highlights accountability—fear becomes the immediate instrument that compels a return to what is owed.
Smoke spreads through the Nāga realm, terrifying Takṣaka. Afraid of the fire’s blaze, he grabs the pair of earrings and hurriedly exits his house to speak to Uttanka—signaling a forced turning point where the stolen/withheld ornaments are brought back under pressure.