Mahabharata 9.53.10 — Shalya Parva, Adhyaya 53, Shloka 10

Plakṣaprasravaṇa–Kārapacana tīrtha-varṇana and Nārada’s war briefing (Śalya-parva, Adhyāya 53)

Devanagari script

एतच्छुत्वाब्रुवन्‌ देवा: सहस्राक्षमिदं वच: । वरेण च्छन्द्यतां शक्र राजर्षियदि शक्‍यते,यह सुनकर देवताओंने सहसनेत्रधारी इन्द्रसे कहा--'शक्र! यदि सम्भव हो तो राजर्षि कुरुको वर देकर अपने अनुकूल किया जाय

Transliteration

etac chrutvābruvan devāḥ sahasrākṣam idaṃ vacaḥ | vareṇa cchandyatāṃ śakra rājarṣir yadi śakyate ||

Translation

Als sie dies hörten, sprachen die Götter zu Sahasrākṣa (Indra): „O Śakra, wenn es möglich ist, gewinne diesen königlichen Seher—mache ihn uns geneigt—indem du ihm eine Gabe, einen Segen, gewährst.“

Word by Word

• एतत्: this (speech/statement)
• एतत्: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: एतद्
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: Adhikarana
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive (क्त्वा), Parasmaipada (usage), Non-finite

• अब्रुवन्: they said/spoke
• अब्रुवन्: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd, Plural, Parasmaipada

• देवाः: the gods
• देवाः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• सहस्राक्षम्: the thousand-eyed one (Indra)
• सहस्राक्षम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: सहस्राक्ष
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: इदम्
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• वचः: speech/words
• वचः: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचस्
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• वरेण: by a boon
• वरेण: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• छन्द्यताम्: let (him) be propitiated/made favorable
• Type: Verb
• Root: छन्द् (धातु)
• Form: Imperative (लोट्), 3rd, Singular, Atmanepada, Passive/impersonal sense: 'let (him) be made favorable/pleased'

• शक्र: O Śakra (Indra)
• शक्र: Sampradana
• Type: Noun
• Root: शक्र
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular

• राजर्षिः: the royal sage
• राजर्षिः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजर्षि
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• यदि: if
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यदि

• शक्यते: is possible/can be done
• Type: Verb
• Root: शक् (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 3rd, Singular, Atmanepada, Impersonal/passive sense: 'it is possible'

Speaker

राम उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Indra (Śakra, Sahasrākṣa)
• Rājarṣi (royal sage; unnamed in the verse)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights a pragmatic ethical idea: when confronting a powerful or principled figure, coercion is not the only path—conciliation through a rightful boon or honor can align intentions without open conflict, provided it is feasible and appropriate.

What is happening in the narrative?

After hearing a prior development, the gods collectively advise Indra (Śakra), urging him to try to bring a royal sage to their side by offering a boon, if such persuasion is possible.