Shloka 16

व्याधि-गुण-साम्योपदेशः | Discourse on Affliction, Guṇa-Equilibrium, and the Inner Battle

Devanagari script

एतां बुद्धि विनिश्चित्य भूतानामागतिं गतिम्‌ । पितृपैतामहे वृत्ते शाधि राज्यं यथोचितम्‌

Transliteration

etāṁ buddhiṁ viniścitya bhūtānām āgatiṁ gatiṁ | pitṛ-paitāmahe vṛtte śādhi rājyaṁ yathocitam ||

Translation

Having firmly resolved this understanding—that the coming and going of all beings proceeds in this very way—govern the kingdom as is proper, adhering to the conduct handed down by your father and forefathers.

Word by Word

• एताम्: this (f.)
• एताम्: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: एतद्
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• बुद्धिम्: understanding, thought
• बुद्धिम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुद्धि
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• विनिश्चित्य: having ascertained, having determined
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-नि-√चि
• Form: क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral for gerund)

• भूतानाम्: of beings, of creatures
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत
• Form: Neuter, Genitive, Plural

• आगतिम्: coming, arrival
• आगतिम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: आगति
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• गतिम्: going, course, movement
• गतिम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: गति
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• पितृपैतामहे: in the ancestral (tradition/usage) of fathers and grandfathers
• पितृपैतामहे: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पितृपैतामह
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• वृत्ते: in conduct, in practice
• वृत्ते: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृत्त
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• शाधि: rule!, govern!, instruct!
• Type: Verb
• Root: √शास्
• Form: लोट् (imperative), Second, Singular, Parasmaipada

• राज्यम्: kingdom, rule
• राज्यम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: राज्य
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• यथोचितम्: as is proper, appropriately
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा + उचित

Speaker

वायुदेव उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vāyudeva
• bhūtāni (all beings/creatures)
• rājya (the kingdom)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

One should rule with clear discernment about the transient movements of beings (their continual coming and going) and uphold dharma by following the proven, righteous conduct of one’s ancestors—governing in a fitting and disciplined way.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vāyudeva addresses the ruler, urging him to internalize a philosophical insight about the nature of worldly life and then to translate that insight into ethical statecraft—administering the kingdom according to ancestral standards and proper royal duty.