Shloka 33
Devanagari script
ब्राह्मणेन तप: कार्य दानमध्ययनं तथा
Transliteration
brāhmaṇena tapaḥ kāryaṁ dānam adhyayanaṁ tathā
Translation
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “For a brāhmaṇa, austerity is to be undertaken; likewise, giving (charity) and the study of sacred learning.”
Word by Word
ब्राह्मणेनby a Brahmin
ब्राह्मणेन:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootब्राह्मण
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Singular
तपःausterity, penance
तपः:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootतपस्
FormNeuter, Nominative, Singular
कार्यम्to be done, should be done
कार्यम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootकृ (√कृ) → कार्य (gerundive)
FormNeuter, Nominative, Singular
दानम्giving, charity
दानम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootदान
FormNeuter, Nominative, Singular
अध्ययनम्study (of the Veda/learning)
अध्ययनम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootअध्ययन
FormNeuter, Nominative, Singular
तथाand also; likewise
तथा:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootतथा
Speaker
(युधिष्टिर उवाच
Characters & Entities
Y
YudhiṣṭhiraB
brāhmaṇaCharacter 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
The verse states the brāhmaṇa’s core dharma: tapas (self-discipline/austerity), dāna (charitable giving), and adhyayana (study of sacred knowledge). It frames ethical life as sustained by restraint, generosity, and learning.
In Karṇa Parva’s battlefield setting, Yudhiṣṭhira speaks about dharma and proper conduct. Even amid conflict, he articulates role-based duties, highlighting the brāhmaṇa’s responsibilities as a moral compass within the chaos of war.