Mahabharata 3.37.9 — Vana Parva, Adhyaya 37, Shloka 9

Vyāsa’s Counsel to Yudhiṣṭhira: Pratismṛti-vidyā, Arjuna’s Aśtra-Quest, and the Move to Kāmyaka

Devanagari script

सग्रामनगरा पार्थ ससागरवनाकरा | भवानेव प्रियो5स्माकं त्वयि भार: समाहित:

Transliteration

sa-grāma-nagarā pārtha sa-sāgara-vanākarā | bhavān eva priyo ’smākaṁ tvayi bhāraḥ samāhitaḥ ||

Translation

Yudhiṣṭhira sprach: „O Pārtha, diese ganze Erde—mit ihren Dörfern und Städten, mit ihren Meeren, Wäldern und Bergwerken—steht heute unter Duryodhanas Kontrolle. Du allein bist uns der Liebste; auf dir ruht die ganze Last unserer Erlösung.“

Word by Word

• {'sa-': 'with

• together with (prefix indicating accompaniment)', 'grāma': 'village', 'nagara': 'city, town', 'pārtha': 'son of Pṛthā

• Arjuna (vocative)', 'sa-sāgara': 'together with the ocean(s)

• including the seas', 'vana': 'forest, woodland', 'ākara': 'mine, quarry

• source/place of extraction', 'bhavān': 'you (honorific pronoun)', 'eva': 'indeed

• emphatic particle', 'priyaḥ': 'dear, beloved', 'asmākam': 'of us

• our', 'tvayi': 'in/with respect to you

• upon you (locative)', 'bhāraḥ': 'burden, responsibility, weight', 'samāhitaḥ': 'placed upon

Speaker

युधिछिर उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Yudhiṣṭhira
• Arjuna (Pārtha)
• Duryodhana
• Pṛthivī (the earth)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse frames dharma in terms of entrusted responsibility: when rightful order is overturned, the burden of restoration may fall upon the most capable and trusted person. It also highlights ethical reliance—leadership is not merely power, but a duty carried for the welfare and rescue of one’s people.

What is happening in the narrative?

Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Arjuna, lamenting that Duryodhana presently holds dominion over the entire realm. He expresses deep trust and affection for Arjuna and declares that the hope of their rescue and the recovery of their rightful position rests chiefly upon him.