Shloka 24
उत्तङ्कोपाख्यानम् — Maṇi-Kuṇḍala Retrieval and Entry into Nāgaloka
Chapter 57
छिद्रेष्वेतेष्विमे नित्यं ह्वियेते द्विजसत्तम । देवराक्षसनागानामप्रमत्तेन धार्यते
chidreṣv eteṣv ime nityaṁ hvīyete dvijasattama | devarākṣasanāgānām apramattena dhāryate, dvijaśreṣṭha ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśaṃpāyana: “O pinakamainam sa mga ‘dalawang ulit na isinilang’, dahil sa mga siwang na ito, ang mga palamuting ito sa tainga ay laging nanganganib na mawala. Tanging ang nananatiling mapagbantay—laban sa mga balak ng mga deva, rākṣasa, at nāga—ang makapagsusuot nito nang ligtas.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that what is precious—whether an object, a duty, or a trust—cannot be preserved by carelessness. Constant alertness (apramāda) is required, because loss can come through many agencies, including unseen or unexpected forces.
Vaiśampāyana explains to a brāhmaṇa addressee that certain valuable ear-ornaments are perpetually at risk of being lost due to the very openings/conditions by which they are worn, and that only a vigilant person can keep and wear them safely, guarding against gods, rākṣasas, and nāgas.