Shloka 6
उत्तङ्कोपाख्यानम् — Maṇi-Kuṇḍala Retrieval and Entry into Nāgaloka
Chapter 57
उत्तड्ुक उवाच एवमस्तु महाराज समय: क्रियतां तु मे । गुर्वर्थमभिनिर्वर्त्य पुनरेष्यामि ते वशम्
uttaṅka uvāca evam astu mahārāja samayaḥ kriyatāṁ tu me | gurvartham abhinirvartya punar eṣyāmi te vaśam ||
优坦迦说道：“如此便好，伟大的国王。但请与我立下约定：待我为师长尽责，完成应付的师资之礼（师资酬谢）之后，我必归来，再次置身于陛下的权柄之下。”
उत्तड्ुक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma through fidelity to one’s obligations: Uttaṅka prioritizes completing his guru’s purpose (including guru-dakṣiṇā) while also honoring a social-political commitment by returning afterward. Ethical action is framed as keeping agreements without abandoning higher duties.
Uttaṅka accepts the king’s proposal in principle but sets a condition: he must first finish the task connected to his teacher and settle the teacher’s due. Only after fulfilling that responsibility will he return and submit again to the king’s authority.