Shloka 166

Devanagari script

तथा भवद्धधिः कर्तव्यमविचार्य वचो मम । “इस समय मैं आपलोगोंसे वर्तमान अवसरपर जो कुछ कहूँ, मेरी उस बातको आपलोग बिना विचारे स्वीकार करें; यही मेरी प्रार्थना है,अत्यन्तगुरुभक्तानामेषो5ञ्जलिरिदं नम: । आपलोगोंने पहले मुझपर किसी तरह कोई रोष नहीं प्रकट किया है। आपलोग अत्यन्त गुरुभक्त हैं; अतः आपके सामने मेरे ये दोनों हाथ जुड़े हुए हैं और मैं आपको यह प्रणाम करता हूँ

Transliteration

tathā bhavadbhiḥ kartavyam avicārya vaco mama | atyantagurubhaktānām eṣo 'ñjalir idaṁ namaḥ |

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: “So should you act—accept my words without hesitation or second-guessing. You have never shown me displeasure in any way. Since you are deeply devoted to your teacher, I stand before you with folded hands and offer you my respectful salutation.”

Word by Word

तथाthus, in that manner

भवद्भिःby you (honorific), by you all

कर्तव्यम्is to be done, must be done

अविचार्यwithout considering, without deliberation

वचःword, speech, statement

ममof me, my

अत्यन्तexceedingly, very

गुरुभक्तानाम्of those devoted to the teacher

एषःthis

अञ्जलिःfolded hands, reverential salutation

इदम्this

नमःsalutation, obeisance

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse emphasizes ethical receptivity to rightful counsel: when guidance comes from a trusted authority and within a teacher–disciple framework, one should respond with humility, respect, and prompt compliance rather than suspicion or argumentative delay.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana addresses his listeners and requests that they accept his instruction without questioning. He acknowledges their consistent goodwill and their devotion to their teacher, and he reinforces his request through the respectful gesture of folded hands and a formal salutation.