Shloka 9

भिक्षुलक्षणम्—एकचर्याः, अहिंसा, कैवल्याश्रमः

Marks of the Mendicant: Solitary Wandering, Non-Injury, and the Kaivalya-Discipline

Devanagari script

प्रज्ञा संयोजयत्यर्थ: प्रज्ञा श्रेयोडघिगच्छति । राजानो भुज्जते राज्यं प्रज्ञया तुल्यलक्षणा:

Transliteration

prajñā saṃyojayaty arthaḥ prajñā śreyod adhigacchati | rājāno bhuñjate rājyaṃ prajñayā tulyalakṣaṇāḥ ||

Translation

Vyāsa said: It is intelligence that brings one into effective union with material aims and resources; it is intelligence that leads one to the highest good. Even among kings who appear alike in outward marks and qualifications, those who excel in discernment alone truly enjoy sovereignty and exercise rule over others.

Word by Word

• प्रज्ञा: intelligence, wisdom
• प्रज्ञा: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रज्ञा
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• संयोजयति: joins, connects, brings together
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + युज्
• Form: Present, Third, Singular, Parasmaipada

• अर्थम्: wealth; purpose; benefit
• अर्थम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• प्रज्ञा: intelligence, wisdom
• प्रज्ञा: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रज्ञा
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• श्रेयः: the good; welfare; highest good
• श्रेयः: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रेयस्
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• अधिगच्छति: attains, reaches
• Type: Verb
• Root: अधि + गम्
• Form: Present, Third, Singular, Parasmaipada

• राजानः: kings
• राजानः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• भुञ्जते: enjoy, partake of
• Type: Verb
• Root: भुज्
• Form: Present, Third, Plural, Atmanepada

• राज्यम्: kingdom, sovereignty
• राज्यम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: राज्य
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• प्रज्ञया: by/with intelligence
• प्रज्ञया: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रज्ञा
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental, Singular

• तुल्यलक्षणाः: having similar characteristics
• तुल्यलक्षणाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तुल्यलक्षण
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

Speaker

व्यास उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vyāsa
• kings (rājānaḥ)
• kingdom/sovereignty (rājyam)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse teaches that discerning intelligence (prajñā) is the decisive power behind both worldly success (artha) and ultimate welfare (śreyas). External status or similar qualifications do not secure true sovereignty; superior judgment and insight do.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the didactic setting of the Śānti Parva, Vyāsa delivers a reflective instruction on the foundations of effective rule and human flourishing, emphasizing that wisdom is what enables a ruler to truly possess and govern a kingdom.