Shloka 5
नहि मां केवल दृष्टवा त्यक्त्वा प्रणणवानिह । गन्तुमर्हसि विप्रषें वृक्षमूलगतो यथा
nahi māṃ kevalaṃ dṛṣṭvā tyaktvā praṇaṇavān iha | gantum arhasi viprarṣe vṛkṣamūlagato yathā ||
“Huwag mo akong iwan at lumisan mula rito matapos mo lamang akong makita. O brahmarṣi sa hanay ng mga dwija, hindi nararapat na umalis ka na parang manlalakbay na dumaan lamang—umupo sandali sa ilalim ng ugat ng puno at saka biglang tumindig at umalis.”
नाग उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores dharma in relationships: one should not treat an encounter as a casual, disposable meeting. When affection, obligation, or hospitality is present, it is improper to leave abruptly ‘after merely seeing’ someone, like a traveler who rests briefly under a tree and moves on without regard.
A Nāga addresses a revered sage (viprarṣi/brahmarṣi), urging him not to depart immediately after seeing the Nāga. The Nāga uses a simile of a wayfarer under a tree to criticize a fleeting, indifferent departure and to request continued engagement.