उत्तङ्कोपाख्यानम् — Maṇi-Kuṇḍala Retrieval and Entry into Nāgaloka
Chapter 57
उत्तडुक उवाच अलं ते व्यपदेशेन प्रमाणा यदि ते वयम् । प्रयच्छ कुण्डले महां सत्यवाग् भव पार्थिव
Uttaṅka uvāca: alaṁ te vyapadeśena pramāṇā yadi te vayam | prayaccha kuṇḍale mahān satyavāg bhava pārthiva ||
Uttaṅka nói: “Đủ rồi những lời thoái thác của ngài. Nếu ngài thật sự thừa nhận ta là bậc đáng tin làm chuẩn mực, thì hãy trao cho ta đôi khuyên tai ấy. Hỡi đại vương, hãy giữ lời chân thật.”
उत्तडुक उवाच
The verse stresses ethical kingship grounded in satya (truth): a ruler should not hide behind excuses but act transparently and fulfill what is demanded when rightful authority is acknowledged.
Uttaṅka confronts the king, rejects evasions, and insists that if the king recognizes Uttaṅka’s authority, he must immediately hand over the (jeweled) earrings and prove himself truthful.