Shloka 28

Devanagari script

वैशग्पायन उवाच विरेमतुस्तु तद्‌ वाक्यमुक्त्वा तावश्चिनो:सुतौ । भीमसेनस्तदा वाक्यमिदं वक्तुं प्रचक्रमे,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! इतना कहकर नकुल और सहदेव चुप हो गये। तब भीमसेनने इस तरह कहना आरम्भ किया

Transliteration

vaiśampāyana uvāca | virematuḥ tu tad vākyam uktvā tau aśvinoḥ sutau | bhīmasenaḥ tadā vākyam idaṁ vaktuṁ pracakrame |

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: Having spoken those words, the two sons of the Aśvins—Nakula and Sahadeva—fell silent. Then Bhīmasena began to speak in this manner, taking up the discussion that bears upon right conduct and the proper course to be followed.

Word by Word

वैशम्पायनःVaiśampāyana

उवाचsaid

विरेमतुःthe two ceased / became silent

तुbut/indeed

तत्that

वाक्यम्speech/statement

उक्त्वाhaving said

तौthose two

अश्विनोःof the Aśvins

सुतौthe two sons

भीमसेनःBhīmasena

तदाthen

वाक्यम्speech/words

इदम्this

वक्तुम्to speak

प्रचक्रमेbegan / set about

Speaker

वैशग्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Nakula

Sahadeva

Aśvins

Bhīmasena

Janamejaya

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse functions as a narrative hinge: after Nakula and Sahadeva conclude, Bhīma begins, indicating that dharma is examined through multiple voices and perspectives, with each speaker adding a distinct ethical emphasis.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana reports to King Janamejaya that Nakula and Sahadeva have finished speaking and fallen silent; immediately afterward, Bhīmasena starts his own statement, continuing the ongoing deliberation.