Shloka 28
Vṛddha-kanyā-carita and Balarāma’s Kurukṣetra Inquiry (वृद्धकन्या-चरितम् / कुरुक्षेत्रफल-प्रश्नः)
Devanagari script
तस्माद् गत्वा ऋषिश्रेष्ठो याच्यतां सुरसत्तमा:
Transliteration
tasmād gatvā ṛṣiśreṣṭho yācyatāṃ surasattamāḥ
Translation
Therefore, let the foremost of sages go and make the request of those best among the gods.
Word by Word
तस्मात्therefore/from that (reason)
तस्मात्:
Apadana
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormMasculine/Neuter, Ablative, Singular
गत्वाhaving gone
गत्वा:
Adhikarana
TypeVerb
Rootगम्
Formक्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral for gerund)
ऋषिश्रेष्ठःthe best of sages
ऋषिश्रेष्ठः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootऋषिश्रेष्ठ
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
याच्यताम्let (him) be requested / he should be entreated
याच्यताम्:
Karma
TypeVerb
Rootयाच्
Formलोट् (imperative), Ātmanepada, Third, Singular, Passive (कर्मणि प्रयोग)
सुरसत्तमाःO best of gods
सुरसत्तमाः:
Sampradana
TypeNoun
Rootसुरसत्तम
FormMasculine, Vocative, Plural
Speaker
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Characters & Entities
Ṛ
ṛṣiśreṣṭha (a foremost sage)S
surasattamāḥ (the best among the gods)Character Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
War Context
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Geographic Context
Cross References
Meter (Chandas)
Sandhi Notes
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes dharmic method: when seeking help or a boon, one should approach worthy authorities respectfully and ask properly, rather than relying on coercion or improper means.
Vaiśampāyana narrates a counsel that the foremost sage should go and petition the most excellent gods—indicating a turn toward seeking divine assistance through formal request.