Shloka 30

Adhyāya 128 — Proposal to Restrain Keśava; Sātyaki’s Warning and Vidura–Dhṛtarāṣṭra Counsel

Devanagari script

वश्येन्द्रियं जितामात्यं धृतदण्डं विकारिषु | परीक्ष्यकारिणं धीरमत्यर्थ श्रीनिषेवते

Transliteration

vaśyendriyaṃ jitāmātyaṃ dhṛtadaṇḍaṃ vikāriṣu | parīkṣyakāriṇaṃ dhīram atyarthaṃ śrī niṣevate ||

Translation

مَن كَبَحَ حواسَّه، وأحكمَ ضبطَ وزرائه، وأقامَ العقوبةَ على المجرمين بثبات، ولم يُقْدِمْ إلا بعد تمحيصٍ وفحص—فإن شري (Śrī)، سيدةَ الحظّ والرخاء، تُلازِمُ ذلك الرجلَ الرزينَ وتخدمه بوفرة.

Word by Word

• वश्येन्द्रियम्: having controlled senses
• वश्येन्द्रियम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वश्येन्द्रिय
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• जितामात्यम्: having conquered/overcome ministers (i.e., subdued his ministers)
• जितामात्यम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जितामात्य
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• धृतदण्डम्: holding the rod (i.e., maintaining punishment/discipline)
• धृतदण्डम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धृतदण्ड
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• विकारिषु: among offenders/wrongdoers
• विकारिषु: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: विकारिन्
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Plural

• परीक्ष्यकारिणम्: one who acts after examination/deliberation
• परीक्ष्यकारिणम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परीक्ष्यकारिन्
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• धीरम्: steadfast, wise
• धीरम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धीर
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• अत्यर्थम्: exceedingly, greatly
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अत्यर्थम्

• श्रीः: fortune, prosperity (Lakshmi)
• श्रीः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्री
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• निषेवते: serves, attends upon
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि-सेव्
• Form: Present, 3rd, Singular, Atmanepada

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Śrī (Lakṣmī)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Prosperity follows disciplined leadership: mastery over one’s senses, firm control of the administrative apparatus, just punishment of offenders, and careful deliberation before action are presented as the ethical foundations upon which Śrī (fortune and royal splendor) naturally rests.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana states a general maxim on ideal rulership and conduct, describing the qualities of a steady, prudent man—especially a ruler—whose governance and self-restraint attract and sustain prosperity.