Shloka 13

Devanagari script

शयानं राजशार्दूलं काछ्चने शयनोत्तमे । अगृह्नीतां च मुदिता चरणौ पार्थिवस्यथ तौ

Transliteration

śayānaṁ rājaśārdūlaṁ kāñcane śayanottame | agṛhṇītāṁ ca muditā caraṇau pārthivasyātha tau ||

Translation

Sanjaya said: At that time, Yudhishthira—the tiger among kings—was lying upon an excellent golden couch. Reaching there, the two of them, filled with joy, took hold of the king’s feet in reverence.

Word by Word

• शयानम्: lying down
• शयानम्: Karma
• Type: Verb
• Root: शी (धातु) → शय (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular, शानच् (वर्तमान कृदन्त), कर्मणि/कर्तरि प्रयोग-सामर्थ्य; यहाँ विशेषणरूपेण

• राजशार्दूलम्: the tiger among kings (great king)
• राजशार्दूलम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजशार्दूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• काञ्चने: on/ in (a) golden
• काञ्चने: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: काञ्चन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• शयनोत्तमे: on the best bed/couch
• शयनोत्तमे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: शयनोत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• अगृह्णीताम्: they two seized/took
• अगृह्णीताम्: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: ग्रह् (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), Third, Dual, Parasmaipada

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• मुदितौ: the two, delighted
• मुदितौ: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मुदित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

• चरणौ: the two feet
• चरणौ: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: चरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Dual

• पार्थिवस्य: of the king
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्थिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• अथ: then
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ

• तौ: those two
• तौ: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Yudhiṣṭhira
• golden couch/bed (kāñcana-śayana)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Even in the midst of war’s turmoil, dharmic social conduct—showing respect to a rightful ruler and approaching with humility—remains a moral anchor. The gesture of taking the king’s feet signals submission, reconciliation, or seeking protection, emphasizing restraint and reverence over arrogance.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that Yudhiṣṭhira is resting on an excellent golden couch. Two individuals arrive, feel pleased on meeting him, and respectfully grasp his feet, indicating deference and a significant approach to the king.