Shloka 19

Gautama–Yama Saṃvāda: Mātṛ-Pitṛ-Ṛṇa (Debt to Parents) and Śubha-Loka Attainment

Devanagari script

एतत्‌ कारणसामर्थ्य श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वत: । भवन्तो5पि तपोनित्या ब्रूयुरेतत्‌ समन्विता:

Transliteration

etad kāraṇa-sāmarthyaṁ śrotum icchāmi tattvataḥ | bhavanto 'pi tapo-nityā brūyur etat samanvitāḥ ||

Translation

Bhishma said: “I wish to hear, in truth and in full clarity, about this cause and its effective power. You too are ever devoted to austerity; therefore, gathered together and in concord, please explain this matter. If my questioning disturbs your penance, I will desist; but if there is time for discourse, resolve the doubt I have raised.”

Word by Word

• एतत्: this (thing)
• एतत्: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: एतद्
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• कारण-सामर्थ्यम्: the power/efficacy of the cause
• कारण-सामर्थ्यम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: कारण + सामर्थ्य
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• श्रोतुम्: to hear
• श्रोतुम्: Karma
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन् (infinitive), Parasmaipada/Atmanepada-neutral (infinitive)

• इच्छामि: I desire
• इच्छामि: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: इष् (धातु)
• Form: Present (Lat), First, Singular, Parasmaipada

• तत्त्वतः: in truth; accurately
• तत्त्वतः: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्त्व
• Form: ablative adverbial (-तः)

• भवन्तः: you (honored ones)
• भवन्तः: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: भवत्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• अपि: also; even
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि

• तपो-नित्याः: ever engaged in austerity
• तपो-नित्याः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तपस् + नित्य
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• ब्रूयुः: may (you) tell; should say
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: Optative (Vidhi-lin), Third, Plural, Parasmaipada

• एतत्: this (matter)
• एतत्: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: एतद्
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• समन्विताः: assembled; united; together
• समन्विताः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम् + अन्वि (धातु) / समन्वित (ppp)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), Masculine, Nominative, Plural

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse models dharmic inquiry: one should seek the truth about causes and their efficacy, yet do so with humility and consideration—especially not obstructing the spiritual discipline (tapas) of those being questioned.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhishma, speaking respectfully to ascetic interlocutors, asks them to explain the true nature of a particular cause and its power. He adds that if his questions interrupt their austerities he will stop, but if they have time, they should confer together and resolve his doubt.