Shloka 40

Adhyāya 52 (Sabhā-parva): Vidura Invites Yudhiṣṭhira to Hastināpura for the Dice Match

Devanagari script

उच्चावचानुपग्राहान्‌ राजभि: प्रापितान्‌ बहूनू

Transliteration

uccāvacānupagrāhān rājabhiḥ prāpitān bahūn

Translation

Through kings, many kinds of favors and supports—both great and small—have been obtained in abundance.

Word by Word

• उच्चावचान्: high and low; various
• उच्चावचान्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उच्चावच
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• उपग्राहान्: supports; aids; attendants (contextual)
• उपग्राहान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपग्रह
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• राजभिः: by kings
• राजभिः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन्
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• प्रापितान्: caused to be obtained; procured; brought
• प्रापितान्: Karma
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-आप्
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural, क्त (past passive participle, causative sense)

• बहून्: many
• बहून्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

Speaker

दुर्योधन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Duryodhana
• kings (rājānaḥ)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The line highlights how political life runs on reciprocal support: rulers dispense and receive favors of many kinds. Ethically, it invites reflection on how dependence on patronage can influence judgment, loyalty, and dharma.

What is happening in the narrative?

Duryodhana is speaking about the practical realities of power—how numerous benefits and forms of backing are secured through kings—framing the situation in terms of alliances, obligations, and political advantage.