Shloka 12

Śārṅgakānāṃ Avināśaḥ (Why the Śārṅga Birds Were Spared) | शार्ङ्गकानामविनाशः

Devanagari script

तच्छुत्वा वासुदेवस्य तथा चक्रुर्जनाधिप,जनमेजय! वासुदेवका यह वचन सुनकर यादवोंने वैसा ही किया

Transliteration

tac chrutvā vāsudevasya tathā cakrur janādhipa, janamejaya!

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: “O king Janamejaya, having heard the words of Vāsudeva, the Yādavas acted exactly as he directed—showing prompt obedience to rightful counsel and disciplined execution of a leader’s command.”

Word by Word

• तत्: that (speech/statement)
• तत्: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: neuter, accusative, singular

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), parasmaipada (usage-neutral), prior action (having heard)

• वासुदेवस्य: of Vāsudeva (Krishna)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वासुदेव
• Form: masculine, genitive, singular

• तथा: thus, in that manner
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा

• चक्रुः: they did
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (perfect), 3rd, plural, parasmaipada

• जनाधिप: O lord of people (king)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जनाधिप
• Form: masculine, vocative, singular

• जनमेजय: O Janamejaya
• Type: Noun
• Root: जनमेजय
• Form: masculine, vocative, singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa)
• Janamejaya
• Yādavas

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights disciplined responsiveness to legitimate guidance: when a trusted leader gives a clear directive, ethical action includes attentive listening and faithful execution rather than hesitation or disorder.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana narrates to King Janamejaya that the Yādavas, after hearing Vāsudeva’s instruction, carried it out exactly as told, indicating immediate compliance with his counsel.