Mahabharata — Ashvamedhika Parva, Shloka 10
Kṛṣṇasya Dvārakā-praveśaḥ — Krishna’s Return to Dvārakā and the Raivataka Festival
उत्तड्ुक उवाच राजंस्तथेह कर्तास्मि पुनरेष्यामि ते वशम् | प्रश्न॑ च कंचित् प्रष्टूं त्वां निवृत्तोडस्मि परंतप
Uttaṅka uvāca: rājan tatheha kartāsmi punar eṣyāmi te vaśam | praśnaṃ ca kañcit praṣṭuṃ tvāṃ nivṛtto ’smi paraṃtapa ||
优陀迦说道：“大王，焚敌者，我将在此照做：完成当行之事后，便再归于王命之下。然而此刻，灭敌之君，我折返而来，只为向你请问一事。”
उत्तड्ुक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic integrity: one should keep one’s pledged duty (pratijñā) and respect rightful authority, while also valuing timely inquiry—asking necessary questions before proceeding further.
Uttaṅka addresses the king, affirming he will carry out his commitment and later return under the king’s authority, but he has come back briefly because he needs to ask an important question first.