Shloka 15

Parīkṣit-janma-saṃkaṭa and Kuntī’s petition to Vāsudeva (परिक्षिज्जन्मसंकटं कुन्त्याः प्रार्थना च)

Devanagari script

भृूज़ाराणि कटाहानि कलशान्‌ वर्धमानकान्‌ | बहूनि च विचित्राणि भाजनानि सहस्रश:,कुछ ही देरमें अनेक प्रकारके विचित्र, मनोरम एवं बहुसंख्यक सहस्रों सुवर्णमय पात्र निकल आये। कठौते, सुराही, गडुआ, कड़ाह, कलश तथा कटोरे--सभी तरहके बर्तन उपलब्ध हुए

Transliteration

bhūzārāṇi kaṭāhāni kalaśān vardhamānakān | bahūni ca vicitrāṇi bhājanāni sahasraśaḥ ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: “Cauldrons, kettles, jars, and swelling heaps of pots—indeed, thousands upon thousands of vessels of many kinds and wondrous workmanship—appeared in abundance.” In the context of the Aśvamedha rites, this imagery underscores royal responsibility: wealth is to be made manifest as orderly provision for sacrifice, hospitality, and generous giving, not for private hoarding.

Word by Word

भृङ्गाराणिewer(s), water-jug(s)

कटाहानिcauldron(s), large pan(s)

कलशान्pots, pitchers

वर्धमानकान्bowls/cups (a kind of vessel called vardhamānaka)

बहूनिmany

चand

विचित्राणिvariegated, diverse, wonderful

भाजनानिvessels, utensils

सहस्रशःby thousands, in thousands

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

bhājana (vessels/utensils)

kaṭāha (cauldron)

kalaśa (ritual pot/jar)

vardhamāna (abundant vessels/heaps)

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 highlights that in a righteous royal sacrifice, prosperity is expressed as public provision—abundant, well-prepared resources meant for ritual, guests, and charitable distribution—reflecting dharma through generosity and responsible stewardship.

What is happening in the narrative?

As Vaiśampāyana narrates the Aśvamedha-related proceedings, vast numbers of various vessels (cauldrons, jars, pots, etc.) appear/are made available, indicating large-scale preparation and abundance for the sacrificial rites and associated hospitality.