Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 21
इत्युक्तो वरुणेनाथ नारद: प्राप्य तं मुनिम् । उतथ्यमब्रवीद् वाक््यं नातिहृष्टमना इव,“वरुणके इस प्रकार उत्तर देनेपर नारदजी उतथ्य मुनिके पास लौट गये और खिन्न-से होकर बोले--
ity ukto varuṇenātha nāradaḥ prāpya taṃ munim | utathyam abravīd vākyaṃ nātihṛṣṭamanā iva |
既受伐楼那如此答复，那罗陀便回到圣者乌塔提耶处传达其言，神色似不甚欢喜——显出对伐楼那回应的失望，也流露出对所议之事道义分量的沉重感。
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when conveying a reply from a powerful authority, one should recognize the ethical gravity of the message: Nārada’s lack of delight signals that words can carry moral consequences, and that a dharmic person does not take satisfaction in outcomes that feel troubling or unjust.
After receiving Varuṇa’s response, Nārada goes back to the sage Utathya and reports what was said. The verse highlights Nārada’s subdued mood—he speaks as if disappointed—indicating that Varuṇa’s answer did not bring relief or happiness.