Mahabharata — Ashvamedhika Parva, Shloka 18

Mind as Charioteer; Kṣetrajña, Tapas, and Dhyāna-Yoga

Adhyātma-Upadeśa

Devanagari script

एवं धर्मस्य विज्ञेयं संसाधनमुपायत: । उपायज्ञो हि मेधावी सुखमत्यन्तमश्लुते

Transliteration

evaṃ dharmasya vijñeyaṃ saṃsādhanam upāyataḥ | upāyajño hi medhāvī sukham atyantam aśnute ||

Translation

Thus, through thoughtful consideration, one should come to know the practical means by which dharma is accomplished. For the wise who understand the right means attain the highest happiness.

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus, in this manner
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम्

• धर्मस्य: of dharma
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• विज्ञेयम्: is to be known/understood
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-ज्ञा
• Form: तव्यत् (gerundive), Neuter, Nominative, Singular, passive obligation

• संसाधनम्: the means of accomplishment
• Type: Noun
• Root: संसाधन
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• उपायतः: from/by means (as the source/starting point) of a method; by a means
• उपायतः: Apadana
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपाय
• Form: Masculine, Ablative, Singular

• उपायज्ञः: knowing the means/methods
• उपायज्ञः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उपायज्ञ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• हि: indeed, for
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि

• मेधावी: the intelligent man
• मेधावी: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: मेधाविन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• सुखम्: happiness
• सुखम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुख
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• अत्यन्तम्: exceedingly, utterly
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अत्यन्तम्

• अश्नुते: attains/enjoys
• Type: Verb
• Root: अश्
• Form: Present, Indicative, Atmanepada, 3rd, Singular

Speaker

वायुदेव उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vāyudeva (Wind-god)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Dharma is not only an ideal but something to be realized through appropriate, well-understood means (upāya). The discerning person who knows how to apply the right method achieves lasting well-being.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vāyudeva is speaking in an instructive mode, emphasizing that one must learn the practical instruments and strategies by which dharma is fulfilled; wisdom lies in knowing the proper means, which leads to supreme happiness.