Shloka 21

Saumadatti-vadha and Bhīma–Alambusa-saṃyoga (सौमदत्तिवधः तथा भीमालम्बुससंयोगः)

Devanagari script

तस्य तन्मतमाज्ञाय प्रीत: प्रादाद्‌ वरं भव:

Transliteration

tasya tanmatam ājñāya prītaḥ prādād varaṃ bhavaḥ

Translation

Sañjaya said: Understanding his intention, Bhava—pleased at heart—granted him a boon.

Word by Word

• तस्य: of him/its
• तस्य: Adhikarana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive, Singular

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• मतम्: opinion/intent
• मतम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: मत (√मन्/मन् + क्त)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• आज्ञाय: having known/understood
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-√ज्ञा
• Form: Absolutive (Gerund)

• प्रीतः: pleased
• प्रीतः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रीत (√प्री + क्त)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• प्रादात्: gave
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-√दा
• Form: Aorist (Luṅ), 3rd, Singular

• वरम्: a boon
• वरम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• भवः: Bhava (Śiva)
• भवः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: भव
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Bhava (Śiva)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the ethical power of rightly discerning another’s intention (matam) and responding with measured generosity: when a purpose is understood and deemed worthy, grace (vara) may be consciously bestowed.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya narrates that Bhava (Śiva), having understood the person’s intent, became pleased and granted a boon—marking a turning point where divine approval is expressed through a formal gift of favor.