Shloka 5

Chapter 15: Counsel on Initiative vs. Renunciation in the Rajasuya Project (सभापर्व, अध्याय १५)

Devanagari script

शममेव परं मन्ये शमात्‌ क्षेम॑ भवेन्मम । आरम्भे पारमेष्ठ्ये तु न प्राप्पमिति मे मति:

Transliteration

śamam eva paraṃ manye śamāt kṣemaṃ bhaven mama | ārambhe pārameṣṭhye tu na prāpnam iti me matiḥ ||

Translation

Yudhiṣṭhira said: “I regard self-restraint alone as the highest good. From self-control, my true welfare will arise. Even if I were to commence the imperial Rājasūya sacrifice, I do not think I could attain the supreme world of Brahmā as its fruit—such is my conviction.”

Word by Word

• {'śamaḥ': 'calmness

• self-control', 'eva': 'indeed

• precisely', 'param': 'highest

• supreme', 'manye': 'I consider

• I think', 'śamāt': 'from self-control (ablative)', 'kṣemam': 'welfare

• lasting good', 'bhavet': 'may be

• would become', 'mama': 'for me

• my', 'ārambhe': 'upon beginning

• at the undertaking (locative)', 'pārameṣṭhye': 'pertaining to the Supreme Lord/Brahmā

• the highest (often implying Brahmaloka)', 'tu': 'but

• however', 'na': 'not', 'prāpnam': 'I would attain

• I could reach', 'iti': 'thus

• so', 'me': 'my', 'matiḥ': 'thought

Speaker

युधिछ्िर उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Yudhiṣṭhira
• Rājasūya-yajña
• Brahmaloka (world of Brahmā)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse elevates śama—inner restraint and calm mastery of mind and senses—as the highest good, implying that ethical self-governance is superior to external achievements or ritual grandeur.

What is happening in the narrative?

Yudhiṣṭhira reflects on the prospect of undertaking the Rājasūya (imperial consecration sacrifice) and expresses a humble, inward-looking stance: he believes his true welfare lies in self-control, and he doubts that ritual action alone can secure the highest heavenly attainment for him.