Shloka 38

Ghaṭotkaca Slays Alāyudha (Night Battle and Māyā Countermeasures) / घटोत्कचेन अलायुधवधः

Devanagari script

चक्षुर्मनो भ्यां संतोष्या विप्रा: पूज्याश्न॒ शक्तित: । नचैषां विप्रियं कार्य ते हि वल्लेशिखोपमा:,“विनयपूर्ण दृष्टि और श्रद्धायुत्ह हृदयसे ब्राह्मणोंको संतुष्ट रखना, यथाशक्ति उनका आदर-सत्कार करते रहना। कभी उनका अप्रिय न करना; क्योंकि वे अग्निकी ज्वालाके समान तेजस्वी होते हैं!

Transliteration

cakṣurmanobhyāṁ santoṣyā viprāḥ pūjyāś ca yathāśakti | na caiṣāṁ vipriyaṁ kāryaṁ te hi vahnēḥ śikhopamāḥ ||

Translation

Sañjaya said: “With reverent eyes and a faithful mind, keep the brāhmaṇas content, and honor them to the best of your ability. Do nothing that displeases them, for they are radiant and formidable—like the very flames of fire.”

Word by Word

चक्षुःwith (one's) eyes; by sight

मनसाwith the mind; mentally

अभ्याम्towards; with regard to (used with instruments here)

सन्तोष्याःto be satisfied / to be pleased (should be pleased)

विप्राःBrahmins

पूज्याःworthy of worship / to be honored

अश्नुhonor / partake / render (here: perform honor)

शक्तितःaccording to ability; as far as possible

नnot

चand

एषाम्of these (Brahmins); their

विप्रियम्something displeasing; offense

कार्यto be done; should be done

तेfor you; to you

हिindeed; because

वल्लlike; as

इषीflame (rare/variant form)

खspace/sky (here likely corrupt segmentation)

उपमाःcomparable to; like

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

Sañjaya

viprāḥ (brāhmaṇas)

vahni (fire)

śikhā (flame)

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 teaches dharmic conduct toward learned brāhmaṇas: approach them with inner reverence (mind) and outward humility (eyes/behavior), honor them within one’s means, and avoid causing offense—recognizing their spiritual power and the consequences of disrespect.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya, narrating events and counsel within the Drona Parva context, conveys a moral instruction emphasizing proper treatment of brāhmaṇas—an ethical reminder set against the broader turmoil of the Kurukṣetra war.