Shloka 32

अर्जुनस्योत्तरदिग्विजयः

Arjuna’s Northern Conquests and Tribute Collection

Devanagari script

"0१ 3 कह डर ब् ९" । ४ नैतच्चित्र॑ं महाबाहो त्वयि देवकिनन्दने । भीमार्जुनबलोपेते धर्मस्य प्रतिपालनम्‌

Transliteration

vaiśampāyana uvāca | naitac citraṃ mahābāho tvayi devakīnandane | bhīmārjunabalopete dharmasya pratipālanam ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: “O mighty-armed one, O delight of Devakī, it is no wonder that dharma is being upheld by you. Supported by the strength of Bhīma and Arjuna, your protection of righteousness is exactly what befits one who embodies dharma.”

Word by Word

• {'vaiśampāyana uvāca': 'Vaiśampāyana said', 'na': 'not', 'etat': 'this', 'citraṃ': 'wonderful

• a matter of surprise', 'mahābāho': 'O mighty-armed one (epithet of a heroic figure, here addressing Kṛṣṇa)', 'tvayi': 'in you

• with respect to you', 'devakīnandana': 'O son/delight of Devakī (Kṛṣṇa)', 'bhīma': 'Bhīma', 'arjuna': 'Arjuna', 'bala': 'strength

• power', 'upeta': 'endowed with

• accompanied by', 'dharmasya': 'of dharma

• of rightful order', 'pratipālanam': 'protection

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Kṛṣṇa (Devakīnandana)
• Devakī
• Bhīma
• Arjuna
• Dharma

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Upholding dharma is presented as the natural duty and defining mark of a dharma-embodying leader; when righteous power is supported by capable allies (Bhīma and Arjuna), the maintenance of moral order should be expected rather than treated as extraordinary.

What is happening in the narrative?

The narrator Vaiśampāyana praises Kṛṣṇa (addressed as Devakī’s son and ‘mighty-armed’) and remarks that it is not surprising that dharma is being protected through him, especially since he is backed by the formidable strength of Bhīma and Arjuna.