Shloka 153

Adhyāya 32: Rājasūya-Dīkṣā and Appointment of Court Offices (राजसूयदीक्षा तथा अधिकारविनियोगः)

Devanagari script

रत्नानि भूरीण्यादाय सम्प्रतस्थे युधाम्पति: । राजन! राजा शल्यने सत्कारके योग्य नकुलका यथावत्‌ सत्कार किया। शल्यसे भेंटमें बहुत-से रत्न लेकर योद्धाओंके अधिपति माद्रीकुमार आगे बढ़ गये

Transliteration

ratnāni bhūrīṇy ādāya sampratasthe yudhāmpatiḥ | rājan! rājā śalyane satkārake yogyaḥ nakulaḥ yathāvat satkāraṃ cakāra | śalyase bheṭe bahūni ratnāni gṛhītvā yoddhṝṇām adhipatiḥ mādrīkumaras tatra agre babhūva ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: “Taking many precious gems with him, the lord of warriors set out. O King, Nakula—fit to offer honor—duly rendered proper hospitality to King Śalya. Then, bearing many jewels as a gift for Śalya, the son of Mādrī, a leader among fighters, advanced onward.” The episode underscores the ethic of respectful reception and gift-giving even amid political and martial tensions.

Word by Word

• रत्नानि: gems
• रत्नानि: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: रत्न
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Plural

• भूरीणि: many, abundant
• भूरीणि: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भूरि
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Plural

• आदाय: having taken
• आदाय: Karana
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + दा
• Form: ल्यप् (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral for gerund)

• सम्प्रतस्थे: set out, departed
• सम्प्रतस्थे: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + प्र + स्था
• Form: Perfect (Liṭ), 3rd, Singular, Ātmanepada

• युधाम्पतिः: lord of warriors (commander)
• युधाम्पतिः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: युधाम्पति
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Nakula
• Śalya
• Mādrī
• ratnāni (jewels/gems)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights dharmic conduct through satkāra—proper hospitality and honor to a guest/king—and the ethical role of gifts (bheṭā) as a socially binding act of respect, even when political circumstances may be complex.

What is happening in the narrative?

Nakula, described as a leader among warriors and son of Mādrī, duly honors King Śalya with appropriate hospitality and then proceeds carrying many jewels as a gift intended for Śalya.