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Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 25

Duryodhana’s Envy at Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rājasūya and the Avabhṛtha Festival

अथर्त्विजो महाशीला: सदस्या ब्रह्मवादिन: । ब्रह्मक्षत्रियविट्‍शूद्रा राजानो ये समागता: ॥ २५ ॥ देवर्षिपितृभूतानि लोकपाला: सहानुगा: । पूजितास्तमनुज्ञाप्य स्वधामानि ययुर्नृप ॥ २६ ॥

athartvijo mahā-śīlāḥ sadasyā brahma-vādinaḥ brahma-kṣatriya-viṭ-śudrā- rājāno ye samāgatāḥ

Then the refined priests, the Vedic authorities who had served as sacrificial witnesses, the specially invited kings, and the brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas and śūdras—along with the demigods, sages, forefathers, subtle spirits, and the planetary rulers with their followers—having been worshiped by King Yudhiṣṭhira, took his leave, O King, and departed each to his own abode.

athathen
atha:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअथ (अव्यय)
Formअव्यय, अनुक्रमसूचक (then)
ṛtvijaḥpriests
ṛtvijaḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootऋत्विज् (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन
mahā-śīlāḥof great character
mahā-śīlāḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeAdjective
Rootमहान्/महā (प्रातिपदिक) + शील (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्मधारय (of great conduct/virtue) विशेषण (of ऋत्विजः/सदस्याः)
sadasyāḥmembers of the assembly
sadasyāḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootसदस्य (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन (Vedic/epic variant ending; classical: सदस्याः)
brahma-vādinaḥexpounders of brahman/veda
brahma-vādinaḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeAdjective
Rootब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + वादिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (speakers/knowers of brahman/veda) विशेषण
brahma-kṣatriya-viṭ-śūdrāḥbrāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas, and śūdras
brahma-kṣatriya-viṭ-śūdrāḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootब्राह्मण/ब्रह्म (प्रातिपदिक) + क्षत्रिय (प्रातिपदिक) + विट् (प्रातिपदिक) + शूद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; द्वन्द्व (the brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas, and śūdras)
rājānaḥkings
rājānaḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootराजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन
yewho
ye:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootयद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक सर्वनाम (relative pronoun)
samāgatāḥhad assembled
samāgatāḥ:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootसम्-आ-गम् (धातु)
Formक्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्तरि प्रयोगे ‘having assembled/come together’

FAQs

This verse states that the officiating priests, learned assembly members, and kings from all social orders (brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, and śūdra) had assembled for the ceremony.

It highlights that major dharmic events like the Rājasūya drew qualified participants across the varṇas, with brāhmaṇas and Vedic scholars guiding the proceedings.

Sacred service thrives when people of varied roles unite respectfully—guided by genuine wisdom and good character—around a common devotional purpose.