Shloka 15

Adhyāya 174: Karma as an inescapable companion (कर्मानुगमन-उपदेश)

Devanagari script

यथोचितं च स बको ययीौ ब्रह्मसदस्तथा

Transliteration

yathocitaṃ ca sa bako yayau brahmasadas tathā

Translation

And that Baka, acting as befitted the occasion, proceeded likewise to the assembly of the Brahmins, moving in accordance with what was proper and expected.

Word by Word

• यथा: as, according to
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा

• उचितम्: proper, fitting (thing)
• उचितम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उचित
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• सः: he
• सः: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• बकः: the crane (Bakā)
• बकः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: बक
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• ययौ: went
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (याति)
• Form: Perfect (Liṭ), Third, Singular, Parasmaipada

• ब्रह्मसदः: the assembly/hall of Brahmā (Brahmā’s court)
• ब्रह्मसदः: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मसद
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• तथा: thus, in that manner
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Baka
• Brahma-sadas (assembly of Brahmins)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights yathocita—acting with situational propriety. Ethical conduct is shown not only by intention but by behaving in a manner suitable to the context and to respected institutions such as a Brahmin assembly.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhishma states that Baka went, in an appropriate manner, to the brahmasadas—i.e., he proceeded to a gathering/assembly of Brahmins, suggesting a move toward counsel, judgment, or socially sanctioned deliberation.