Shloka 18
उत्तङ्कोपाख्यानम् — Maṇi-Kuṇḍala Retrieval and Entry into Nāgaloka
Chapter 57
उत्तंक बोले--नरेश्वर! मैं कहाँ आपकी पत्नीको ढूँढ़ता फिरूँगा? मुझे क्योंकर उनका दर्शन हो सकेगा? आप स्वयं ही अपनी पत्नीके पास क्यों नहीं चलते? ।।
saudāsa uvāca | tāṁ drakṣyati bhavān adya kasmiṁścid vananirjhare | ṣaṣṭhe kāle na hi mayā sā śakyā draṣṭum adya vai ||
Sabi ni Uttaṅka: “O hari! Saan ko hahanapin ang iyong asawa? Paano ko siya masisilayan? Bakit hindi ikaw mismo ang pumunta sa iyong reyna?” Sumagot si Saudāsa: “O Brahmin, makikita mo siya ngayon sa isang bukal sa gubat. Ngunit sa ikaanim na bahagi ng araw na ito, hindi ko siya maaaring makita ngayon—hindi ito ang panahong kaya kong makipagtagpo sa kanya.”
सौदास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights restraint and time-discipline: even when a goal is urgent, one should act within proper limits of time and capacity, speaking truthfully about what is feasible rather than making reckless promises.
Saudāsa informs the other party that the sought woman will be seen that very day near a forest spring, but he himself cannot meet her at that moment because it is the sixth division of the day, a time when he is not able to see her.