Shloka 59
Gautama–Śakra Saṃvāda: Karma, Loka-bheda, and the Restoration of the Elephant
शतक्रतुने कहा--विप्रवर! आपका पुत्रस्वरूप यह हाथी आपहीकी ओर देखता हुआ आ रहा है और पास आकर आपके दोनों चरणोंको अपनी नासिकासे सूँघता है। अब आप मेरा कल्याण-चिंतन कीजिये, आपको नमस्कार है ।।
gautama uvāca |
śivaṃ sadaiveha surendra tubhyaṃ dhyāyāmi pūjāṃ ca sadā prayuñje |
mamāpi tvaṃ śakra śivaṃ dadasva tvayā dattaṃ pratigṛhṇāmi nāgam ||
Sinabi ni Śatakratu: “O marangal na vipra! Ang elepanteng ito na anyong anak mo ay papalapit na nakatingin sa iyo; at paglapit, sinisinghot niya ang iyong dalawang paa sa kanyang nguso. Ngayon, isaalang-alang mo ang aking ikabubuti; sumasamba ako sa iyo.” Sinabi ni Gautama: “O Surendra! Dito’y lagi kong ninanasa at pinagninilayan ang iyong kapakanan, at palagi akong nag-aalay ng pagsamba sa iyo. O Śakra, ipagkaloob mo rin sa akin ang kapakanan. Tinatanggap ko ang elepanteng ito na ibinigay mo.”
गौतम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes a dharmic reciprocity: steadfast reverence and goodwill toward a benefactor (here, Indra) are paired with the expectation of protective auspiciousness in return. Acceptance of a gift is presented as legitimate when it is properly offered and received with right intention.
Gautama addresses Indra, stating that he continually thinks of Indra’s welfare and worships him. He then requests welfare for himself and formally accepts the elephant that Indra has given.