Shloka 32
नरनारायण-नारदसंवादः
Nara-Nārāyaṇa–Nārada Discourse on Vision, Elements, and Entry into Vāsudeva
ते पिबन्त: कषायांश्र सर्पीषि विविधानि च । दृश्यन्ते जरया भग्ना नगा नागैरिवोत्तमै:
te pibantaḥ kaṣāyāṁś ca sarpīṁṣi vividhāni ca | dṛśyante jarayā bhagnā nagā nāgair ivottamaiḥ ||
那罗陀言曰：“纵使他们不断饮服涩味汤剂与种种酥油（ghṛta），仍可见其为老所折——如巍峨群山被雄象之力压弯而崩裂。是故，虽有药饵滋养，衰老终必使形骸俯伏，显出人力所能制御之限。”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Old age is unavoidable: even sustained use of medicines and nourishing substances cannot prevent the body from being bent and weakened by time. The verse encourages sober realism, humility, and detachment from bodily pride.
Narada illustrates the power of senescence with a vivid simile: people drink decoctions and ghee as remedies, yet they are still visibly broken by old age, just as mountains are battered by mighty elephants.