Shloka 8

Adhyaya 8 — Harishchandra’s Trial: Truth, the Sale of Family, and Bondage to a Chandala

Sanskrit

यद्वान्यत् कार्यमस्माभिस्तदनुज्ञातुमर्हसि ।

Transliteration

yadvānyat kāryam asmābhis tad anu jñātum arhasi

Translation

إن كان لنا عملٌ آخر ينبغي أن ننجزه، فلتتفضل راضيًا بالإذن والتفويض به.

Word by Word

• yat: whatever/that which
• yat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; relative pronoun

• vā: or
• vā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय (disjunctive particle: or)

• anyat: other
• anyat: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anya (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; adjective/pronominal: other

• kāryam: task/duty
• kāryam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kārya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; action to be done/duty

• asmābhiḥ: by us
• asmābhiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उत्तमपुरुष-सर्वनाम, तृतीया (3), बहुवचन; instrumental: by us

• tat: that
• tat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; demonstrative: that

• anujñātum: to permit/approve
• anujñātum: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/infinitive purpose)
• Type: Verb
• Root: anujñā (धातु) + tumun (कृत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: तुमुनन्त (infinitive), धातु: अनुज्ञा (to permit/approve)

• arhasi: you ought/are fit
• arhasi: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: arh (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speakers

• Disciple/interlocutor addressing the sage (likely Jaimini addressing Markandeya
• per the Purana’s frame)

Verse Rasa

{ "primaryRasa": "shanta", "secondaryRasa": "bhakti", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

Key Themes

• Guru-śiṣya etiquette
• Dharma (proper procedure)
• Humility and seeking authorization
• Narrative framing

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

The verse models dhārmic conduct in learning and action: one does not proceed independently in sacred matters, but seeks the elder’s/teacher’s anu-jñā (sanction). This reflects humility, discipline, and accountability—key virtues in śāstric transmission.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana (5 characteristics)?

This line functions as narrative frame-material rather than a direct instance of the five purāṇic topics (sarga, pratisarga, vaṁśa, manvantara, vaṁśānucarita). It supports the dialogue structure within which those pancalakṣaṇa themes are later taught.

What is the esoteric significance?

On a symbolic level, ‘permission’ (anujñā) indicates alignment of individual will with higher order (dharma/ṛta). Spiritual progress is portrayed as effective when actions are harmonized with a guiding intelligence (guru, tradition, or inner discernment), not merely personal impulse.