Adhyaya 24 — Kuvalayashva’s Refusal of Gifts and the Vision of Madalasa’s Maya
नाग उवाच यदि रत्नसुवर्णादि मत्तोऽवाप्तुं न ते मनः ।
यदन्यन्मनसः प्रीत्यै तद्ब्रूहि त्वं ददाम्यहम् ॥
nāga uvāca yadi ratna-suvarṇādi matto 'vāptuṃ na te manaḥ |
yad anyan manasaḥ prītyai tad brūhi tvaṃ dadāmy aham ||
Nāga nói: Nếu tâm ngài không muốn nhận từ ta châu báu, vàng và những thứ như thế, thì hãy nói cho ta biết điều gì khác làm lòng ngài hoan hỷ—ta sẽ ban cho.
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The verse distinguishes between material and higher aims: refusal of gold/jewels hints at vairāgya or at least disciplined desire. The benefactor invites the seeker to articulate a worthy, heart-aligned request.
Narrative ethics (ākhyāna) focused on conduct and intention; not pañcalakṣaṇa.
A ‘Nāga’ as guardian of subterranean treasure symbolizes latent siddhis/resources. The teaching: if one does not chase glittering externals, subtler fulfillments (dharma-appropriate boons) become accessible.