Shloka 6

Araṇi Lost to the Deer: Pāṇḍavas Pursue to Preserve Agnihotra (अरणी-हरण प्रसङ्गः)

Devanagari script

यज्वा दानपतिर्दक्ष: पौरजानपदप्रिय: । पार्थिवो5श्वपतिर्नाम सर्वभूतहिते रत:,वे यज्ञ करनेवाले, दानाध्यक्ष, कार्यकुशल, नगर और जनपदके लोगोंके परम प्रिय तथा सम्पूर्ण भूतोंके हितमें तत्पर रहनेवाले भूपाल थे। उनका नाम अश्विपति था

Transliteration

yajvā dānapatir dakṣaḥ paurajānapaḍapriyaḥ | pārthivo 'śvapatir nāma sarvabhūtahite rataḥ ||

Translation

قال يودهِشْثيرا: «كان هناك ملك يُدعى أشفابَتي—قد أقام القرابين، وتولّى أمر العطايا والصدقات، وكان حازماً كفؤاً في العمل، محبوباً لدى أهل المدن وأهل الأرياف، ومُكرَّساً لخير جميع الكائنات الحيّة.»

Word by Word

यज्वाa sacrificer; one who performs yajña

दानपतिःlord/overseer of gifts; chief donor

दक्षःskilful; competent

पौरजानपदप्रियःdear to townsmen and countryfolk

पार्थिवःking; ruler

अश्वपतिःAśvapati (name; lord of horses)

नामby name; named

सर्वभूतहितेin the welfare of all beings

रतःengaged; devoted

Speaker

युधिछिर उवाच

Characters & Entities

Yudhiṣṭhira

Aśvapati

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse sketches the ethical ideal of a ruler: legitimacy is shown not merely by power but by sacrificial responsibility (yajña), generous stewardship of wealth (dāna), administrative competence (dakṣatā), popularity grounded in just conduct, and an active commitment to the welfare of all beings (sarvabhūta-hita).

What is happening in the narrative?

Yudhiṣṭhira introduces a king named Aśvapati by listing his virtues—his sacrificial life, generosity, capability, and the affection he earned from both city and countryside—setting up a moral portrait that frames the ensuing story or exemplum.