यद्युष्टरात्रेडतिक्रान्ते नागमिष्यति पन्नग: । तदाहारं करिष्यामि तन्निमित्तमिदं व्रतम्,यदि आठ रात बीत जानेपर भी नागराज नहीं आयेंगे तो मैं भोजन कर लूँगा। उनके आगमनके लिये ही मैंने यह व्रत लिया है
yady uṣṭararātre 'tikrānte nāgamiṣyati pannagaḥ | tad āhāraṁ kariṣyāmi tan-nimittam idaṁ vratam ||
婆罗门说道:“若八夜已过,蛇王仍不来,我便进食。此誓戒唯为一事而立——只为促其来临。”
ब्राह्मण उवाच
The verse highlights disciplined restraint and clarity of intention in a vow: the brāhmaṇa sets a definite limit (eight nights) and ties his fasting to a specific ethical purpose, showing steadiness rather than impulsive austerity.
A brāhmaṇa explains the condition of his observance: he is abstaining from food to prompt the coming of the serpent-king, but if the nāga does not arrive even after eight nights, he will end the fast and eat.