Shloka 20
अलर्कोपाख्यानम् — Indriya-Nigraha and Yogic Victory
Mahābhārata 14.30
Devanagari script
तच्छुत्वा स विचिन्त्याथ ततो वचनमब्रवीत्,यह सुनकर अलर्कने कुछ सोच-विचारकर ([नेत्रको सुनाते हुए) कहा
Transliteration
tac chrutvā sa vicintyātha tato vacanam abravīt
Translation
Hearing those words, Alarka reflected for a moment; then, having weighed the matter in his mind, he spoke.
Word by Word
तत्that (speech/statement)
तत्:
Karma
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
Formneuter, accusative, singular
श्रुत्वाhaving heard
श्रुत्वा:
Karma
TypeVerb
Rootश्रु
Formक्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), parasmaipada (usage), prior action (having heard)
सःhe
सः:
Karta
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
Formmasculine, nominative, singular
विचिन्त्यhaving thought/considered
विचिन्त्य:
Karma
TypeVerb
Rootवि + चिन्त्
Formक्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), prior action (having reflected)
अथthen/thereupon
अथ:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअथ
ततःthereupon/then
ततः:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootततः
वचनम्word; speech
वचनम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootवचन
Formneuter, accusative, singular
अब्रवीत्said/spoke
अब्रवीत्:
TypeVerb
Rootब्रू
Formलङ् (imperfect), third, singular, parasmaipada
Speaker
अलर्क उवाच
Characters & Entities
A
AlarkaCharacter Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
War Context
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Cross References
Meter (Chandas)
Sandhi Notes
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the virtue of thoughtful deliberation (vicāra) before speaking—an ethical discipline central to dharma, especially for rulers and decision-makers.
After hearing something significant, Alarka pauses to reflect and then responds, marking a transition from receiving counsel or information to giving a considered reply.