Mahabharata — Adi Parva, Shloka 63

Jarītā–Śārṅgā-saṃvāda: Ākhu-haraṇa and the Approach of Agni (आखुहरणं अग्न्यागमनश्च)

Devanagari script

एवंवृत्त: स राजर्षि: श्वेतकिर्न॒पसत्तम: । कालेन महता चापि ययौ स्वर्गमभिष्ठत:

Transliteration

evaṁvṛttaḥ sa rājarṣiḥ śvetakir nṛpasattamaḥ | kālena mahatā cāpi yayau svargam abhiṣṭhataḥ ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: Thus lived that royal sage Śvetaki, the best of kings. After a long span of time, he departed for heaven, praised by the gods, having fulfilled his desired end.

Word by Word

• {'evaṁvṛttaḥ': 'of such conduct

• behaving in this manner', 'sa': 'he

• that (person)', 'rājarṣiḥ': 'royal sage

• a king who is also a seer', 'śvetakiḥ': 'Śvetaki (proper name)', 'nṛpa-sattamaḥ': 'best among kings', 'kālena mahatā': 'after a great/long time', 'ca api': 'and also

• moreover', 'yayau': 'went

• departed', 'svargam': 'to heaven

• the heavenly world', 'abhiṣṭhataḥ': 'having attained/fulfilled what was desired

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Śvetaki
• Svarga (heaven)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights that consistent right conduct (ācāra) and the faithful completion of dharmic obligations—especially sacrificial duty undertaken properly—lead to honored spiritual reward, symbolized by attainment of Svarga.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana concludes a description of King-sage Śvetaki’s way of life, stating that after a long time he departed to heaven, having achieved his desired end and being praised by the gods.