Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 25
Gautama–Śakra Saṃvāda: Karma, Loka-bheda, and the Restoration of the Elephant
गौतम उवाच यत्रोत्तरा: कुरवो भांति रम्या देवै: सार्थ मोदमाना नरेन्द्र । यत्राग्नियौनाश्ष॒ वसंति लोका अब्योनय: पर्वतयोनयश्नल
gautama uvāca | yatrottarāḥ kuravo bhānti ramyā devaiḥ sārthaṃ modamānā narendra | yatrāgni-yonāś ca vasanti lokā ab-yonayaḥ parvata-yonayaś ca ||
Wika ni Gautama: “O hari, may isang lupain kung saan ang mga Hilagang Kuru ay nagniningning sa kaaya-ayang ganda, nagagalak na kasama ng mga diyos. Doon nananahan ang mga kababalaghang nilalang—may ipinanganak sa apoy, may ipinanganak sa tubig, at may ipinanganak sa mga bundok. Kapag narating ko ang lupaing iyon—kung saan si Indra ay nagbubuhos ng katuparan ng lahat ng pagnanasa, kung saan ang mga babae’y malayang nakagagalaw ayon sa kanilang nais, at kung saan ganap na walang paninibugho sa pagitan ng babae at lalaki—doon ko babawiin mula sa iyo ang aking elepante.”
गौतम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the moral force of a sage’s vow and the principle of rightful restitution: Gautama sets a clear condition for reclaiming what is his, while also contrasting ordinary human society with an ideal realm marked by abundance and the absence of jealousy—implying that ethical harmony is a higher good than mere enjoyment.
Gautama addresses a king and describes the wondrous land of Uttara-Kuru, where divine-like beings live and all desires are fulfilled under Indra’s beneficence. He declares that after going there, he will return to take back his elephant—framing his claim as a firm, time-bound resolve.