Shloka 12

मातङ्ग–शक्रसंवादः

Mataṅga–Śakra Dialogue on Tapas, Status, and Moral Qualities

Devanagari script

ततस्ते भीष्ममामन्त्रय पाण्डवांश्व महर्षय:

Transliteration

tataste bhīṣmam āmantrya pāṇḍavāṃś ca maharṣayaḥ

Translation

ثم إن أولئك الحكماء العظام، بعد أن خاطبوا بِهِيشْما باحترام، خاطبوا كذلك أبناء باندو—إيذانًا بانتقالٍ في مجرى الحديث، إذ إن الشيوخ والرائين يطلبون رسميًّا الإذن وحسن الإصغاء قبل المضيّ في النصح المؤسَّس على الدَّرْما.

Word by Word

• ततः: then, thereafter
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः
• Form: Avyaya (ablatival adverb: 'from that/thereupon')

• ते: they
• ते: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: युष्मद्
• Form: Masculine, nominative, plural

• भीष्मम्: Bhishma
• भीष्मम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीष्म
• Form: Masculine, accusative, singular

• आमन्त्रय: having addressed / address (you) / call upon
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + मन्त्र्
• Form: Imperative, 2nd person, singular, Parasmaipada

• पाण्डवान्: the Pandavas
• पाण्डवान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाण्डव
• Form: Masculine, accusative, plural

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च
• Form: Avyaya (conjunction)

• महर्षयः: the great sages
• महर्षयः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: महर्षि
• Form: Masculine, nominative, plural

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• Pāṇḍavas
• Maharṣis (great sages)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights dharmic procedure: before giving instruction or initiating a significant exchange, elders and sages formally address the principal authority (Bhīṣma) and the concerned rulers (the Pāṇḍavas), emphasizing respect, consent, and orderly transmission of counsel.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśaṃpāyana narrates that the assembled great sages first address Bhīṣma and then the Pāṇḍavas, marking a narrative shift into a new segment of discussion or instruction within the Anuśāsana Parva.