Shloka 6
उत्तङ्कोपाख्यानम् — Maṇi-Kuṇḍala Retrieval and Entry into Nāgaloka
Chapter 57
उत्तड्ुक उवाच एवमस्तु महाराज समय: क्रियतां तु मे । गुर्वर्थमभिनिर्वर्त्य पुनरेष्यामि ते वशम्
uttaṅka uvāca evam astu mahārāja samayaḥ kriyatāṁ tu me | gurvartham abhinirvartya punar eṣyāmi te vaśam ||
Wika ni Uttaṅka: “Mangyari nawa, O dakilang hari. Ngunit magkasundo muna tayo: matapos kong gampanan ang tungkulin ko para sa aking guro at maibigay ang gurudakṣiṇā, babalik ako at muli kong ilalagay ang aking sarili sa ilalim ng iyong kapangyarihan.”
उत्तड्ुक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma through fidelity to one’s obligations: Uttaṅka prioritizes completing his guru’s purpose (including guru-dakṣiṇā) while also honoring a social-political commitment by returning afterward. Ethical action is framed as keeping agreements without abandoning higher duties.
Uttaṅka accepts the king’s proposal in principle but sets a condition: he must first finish the task connected to his teacher and settle the teacher’s due. Only after fulfilling that responsibility will he return and submit again to the king’s authority.