Shloka 21
Jaratkāru’s Marital Compact and Departure (जरत्कारु–जरत्कारुणी संवादः)
जगाम तक्षकस्तूर्ण नगरं नागसाह्दयम् | अथ शुश्राव गच्छन् स तक्षको जगतीपतिम्
jagāma takṣakas tūrṇaṁ nagaraṁ nāgasāhṛdayam | atha śuśrāva gacchan sa takṣako jagatīpatim
塔克沙迦急速奔向那为龙族（那伽）所钟爱的城邑。行进之间，塔克沙迦又听闻关于大地之主——国王——的消息。
तक्षक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how decisive action is often paired with awareness of political power: one moves swiftly toward one’s base of support while also seeking or receiving information about the ruler. Ethically, it foreshadows how knowledge and intent can be used for either protection or harm, depending on dharmic alignment.
Takṣaka hastens to a city beloved to the Nāgas. While traveling, he hears news concerning the ‘lord of the earth’—the reigning king—setting up the next developments where the king’s situation becomes relevant to Takṣaka’s impending role.