Shloka 8

धृतराष्ट्रस्य युधिष्ठिरं प्रति व्यवहार-रक्षा-नियमनोपदेशः | Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Instruction on Administration, Punishment, and Daily Governance

Devanagari script

अभिप्रायं विदित्वा तु भीमसेनस्य फाल्गुन:

Transliteration

abhiprāyaṃ viditvā tu bhīmasenasya phālgunaḥ

Translation

But Phālguna (Arjuna), having understood Bhīmasena’s intention, answered as the moment required—reading the resolve behind the words and preparing to act with discernment rather than impulse.

Word by Word

• अभिप्रायम्: intention, purpose
• अभिप्रायम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभिप्राय
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• विदित्वा: having known/understood
• विदित्वा: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: विद्
• Form: क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral here)

• तु: but, indeed
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु

• भीमसेनस्य: of Bhimasena (Bhima)
• भीमसेनस्य: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीमसेन
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• फाल्गुनः: Phalguna (Arjuna)
• फाल्गुनः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: फाल्गुन
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīmasena (Bhīma)
• Phālguna (Arjuna)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights ethical discernment: wise action begins by understanding another’s intention (abhiprāya) rather than reacting only to outward speech or emotion. Recognizing motive helps align response with dharma and self-control.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana narrates that Arjuna (Phālguna) perceives what Bhīma truly intends. This sets up Arjuna’s next words or actions as a considered response to Bhīma’s inner resolve.