Shloka 4
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 47 — Janamejaya’s Sarpa-satra: Vow, Preparation, and the Onset of the Serpent Offering
सौतिर्वाच प्रतिश्रुते तु नागेन भरिष्ये भगिनीमिति । जरत्कारुस्तदा वेश्म भुजगस्य जगाम ह,उग्रश्रवाजी कहते हैं--नागराजने यह शर्त स्वीकार कर ली कि “मैं अपनी बहिनका भरण-पोषण करूँगा।” तब जरत्कारु मुनि वासुकिके भवनमें गये
Sautir uvāca—pratiśrute tu nāgena bhariṣye bhaginīm iti | Jaratkārus tadā veśma bhujagasya jagāma ha ||
Sauti nói: Khi loài rắn đã thề hứa như vậy—“Ta sẽ nuôi dưỡng em gái ta”—thì hiền giả Jaratkāru liền đến nơi cư ngụ của loài rắn.
तक्षक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma as fidelity to one’s word: a pledged commitment—especially concerning care of dependents—must be honored, and social arrangements like marriage proceed properly only when responsibilities are clearly accepted.
After the Nāga agrees to Jaratkāru’s condition that his sister will be supported, Jaratkāru goes to the serpent’s residence (Vāsuki’s household), moving the marriage negotiations forward.