Shloka 8

अर्जुन–युधिष्ठिर–विदुर संवादः

Arjuna and Yudhiṣṭhira instruct Vidura on honoring Dhṛtarāṣṭra

Devanagari script

ततो भागीरथीतीरात्‌ कुरुक्षेत्र जगाम स: । सानुगो नृपतिर्वद्धो नियत: संयतेन्द्रिय:

Transliteration

tato bhāgīrathītīrāt kuru-kṣetraṁ jagāma saḥ | sānugo nṛpatir vṛddho niyataḥ saṁyatendriyaḥ ||

Translation

Then, leaving the bank of the Bhāgīrathī (the Gaṅgā), the aged king—accompanied by his attendants—set out with disciplined restraint. Steady in his vows and with his senses under control, he reached Kurukṣetra.

Word by Word

• ततः: then, thereafter
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (तद्-प्रातिपदिकात्)
• Form: Avyaya

• भागीरथी-तीरात्: from the bank of the Bhāgīrathī (Gaṅgā)
• भागीरथी-तीरात्: Apadana
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर (प्रातिपदिक) / भागीरथी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Ablative, Singular

• कुरुक्षेत्रम्: Kurukṣetra
• कुरुक्षेत्रम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुरुक्षेत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• जगाम: went
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (Liṭ), 3rd person, Singular, Parasmaipada

• सः: he
• सः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• सानुगः: accompanied by followers
• सानुगः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनुग (प्रातिपदिक) / स- (उपसर्गसदृशः ‘सह’)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• नृपतिः: the king
• नृपतिः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृपति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• वृद्धः: aged, old
• वृद्धः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वृद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• नियतः: restrained, disciplined
• नियतः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नियत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; नि-यम्)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• संयत-इन्द्रियः: one whose senses are controlled
• संयत-इन्द्रियः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: इन्द्रिय (प्रातिपदिक) / संयत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; सम्-यम्)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Dhṛtarāṣṭra
• Bhāgīrathī (Gaṅgā)
• Kurukṣetra

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights niyama (regulated discipline) and indriya-saṁyama (sense-control) as the ethical foundation for a life of withdrawal in old age. Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s authority is no longer expressed through command but through self-mastery—suggesting that true kingship can culminate in inner governance.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana narrates that the aged king Dhṛtarāṣṭra, accompanied by attendants, departs from the Gaṅgā’s bank and travels to Kurukṣetra. The description emphasizes his disciplined, vow-bound state, marking a transition from worldly engagement toward ascetic, regulated living.