Thereupon the Naga (the king of the snakes), with folded hands and trembling with fear, addressed Nala. 'O king! know me that I am Naga (snake), Karkotaka by name. O lord of men! the great sage, Narada, observing rigid austerity, was once deceived by me; and who, again, filled with rage, coursed me, saying: Remain here like some immovable thing, until king Nala leads you hence. And, indeed, wherever shall he take you, there shall you be released from my curse.'
स नागः प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा वेपमानो नलं तदा। उवाच मां विद्धि राजन् नागं कर्कोटकं नृप।॥ मया प्रलब्धो ब्रह्मर्षिर्नारदः सुमहातपाः। तेन मन्युपरीतेन शप्तोऽस्मि मनुजाधिप।॥ तिष्ठ त्वं स्थावर इव यावदेव नल: क्वचित्। इतो नेता हि तत्र त्वं शापान्मोक्ष्यसि मत्कृतात्॥