Shloka 7

Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Śrāddha Request and Bhīma’s Objection (Āśramavāsika-parva, Adhyāya 17)

Devanagari script

राज्यस्थया तपस्तप्तुं कर्तु दानव्रतं महत्‌ । अनया शक्यमेवाद्य श्रूयतां च वचो मम

Transliteration

rājyasthayā tapas taptuṁ kartuṁ dāna-vrataṁ mahat | anayā śakyam evādya śrūyatāṁ ca vaco mama ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: “Even while remaining in the kingdom, she is able to practice austerity and to undertake a great vow of giving. Therefore, let her listen attentively today to my words.”

Word by Word

• राज्यस्थया: by/with (one) staying in the kingdom
• राज्यस्थया: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: राज्यस्थ (राज्य + स्थ)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental, Singular

• तपः: austerity, penance
• तपः: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस्
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• तप्तुम्: to practice (austerity)
• Type: Verb
• Root: तप्
• Form: Infinitive

• कर्तुम्: to do, to perform
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ
• Form: Infinitive

• दानव्रतम्: a vow of giving/charity-vow
• दानव्रतम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: दानव्रत (दान + व्रत)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• महत्: great
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत्
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• अनया: by her; by this (woman)
• अनया: Karana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: इदम् (एतद्-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental, Singular

• शक्यम्: possible, feasible
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शक्य
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• एव: indeed, certainly
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव

• अद्य: today, now
• अद्य: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अद्य

• श्रूयताम्: let it be heard; please listen
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु
• Form: Imperative, Third, Singular, Atmanepada (passive sense)

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• वचः: speech, words
• वचः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचस्
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• मम: of me, my
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: अस्मद्
• Form: Genitive, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Spiritual discipline and ethical merit are not confined to forest-renunciation; one can practice tapas and fulfill a great vow of charity even while living within the responsibilities of the kingdom.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana introduces counsel about a woman’s capacity to undertake austerity and a major charitable observance without leaving royal life, urging that his words be heard attentively.