Shloka 326

Samrāt-Lakṣaṇa and the Counsel to Check Jarāsandha (सम्राट्-लक्षणं जरासन्ध-प्रतिबाधा-परामर्शः)

Devanagari script

ज्ञातित्राणमभीप्सद्धिरस्मत्सम्भावना कृता । उस दुरात्मासे पीड़ित हो भोजराजवंशके बड़े-बूढ़े लोगोंने जाति-भाइयोंकी रक्षाके लिये हमसे प्रार्थना की

Transliteration

jñātitrāṇam abhīpsadbhir asmat-sambhāvanā kṛtā |

Translation

Desiring protection for their kinsmen, the elders of the Bhoja royal line—oppressed by that wicked man—came to us with due honor and laid their petition before us. The episode affirms a dharmic duty: when the vulnerable are harassed by an unrighteous ruler, it is right to seek righteous protection with respectful supplication, and the powerful must answer with restraint and justice.

Word by Word

• ज्ञाति-त्राणम्: protection of kinsmen
• ज्ञाति-त्राणम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञाति + त्राण
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• अभीप्सद्भिः: by those desiring
• अभीप्सद्भिः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभीप्सत् (from dhatu आप्/ईप्स् in desiderative sense 'to desire')
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• अस्मत्: from us
• अस्मत्: Apadana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: अस्मद्
• Form: —, Ablative, Singular

• सम्भावना: request/entreaty (lit. respectful consideration)
• सम्भावना: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: सम्भावना
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• कृता: was made/done
• कृता: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (क्त)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa
• Bhoja dynasty elders (Bhojarājavaṁśa-vṛddhāḥ)
• a wicked oppressor (durātmā; unnamed in the given line)
• kinsmen/relatives (jñāti)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights dharma as protective responsibility: when a community is harmed by an unrighteous person, it is proper to seek refuge from a righteous protector with due respect, and it is proper for the capable to safeguard kin and dependents against oppression.

What is happening in the narrative?

Śrī Kṛṣṇa explains that the elders of the Bhoja royal lineage, suffering under a wicked oppressor, approached him respectfully and petitioned for help to protect their clan-members.