Shloka 43

Śuka’s Guṇa-Transcendence and Vyāsa’s Consolation (शुकगति-वर्णनम्)

Devanagari script

येन येन हि यस्यार्थ: कारणेनेह कर्मणि । तत्तदालम्बते सर्व: स्वे स्वे स्वार्थपरिग्रहे

Transliteration

yena yena hi yasyārthaḥ kāraṇeneha karmaṇi | tattad ālambate sarvaḥ sve sve svārthaparigrahe ||

Translation

Janaka said: In this world of action, whatever means a person finds necessary for accomplishing a desired end—by that very means he seeks support. For everyone, intent on securing his own chosen aim, takes refuge in the particular instrument that serves his purpose.

Word by Word

• येन: by which (means)
• येन: Karana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: यद्
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• येन: by which (means)
• येन: Karana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: यद्
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• हि: indeed/for
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि

• यस्य: of whom/whose
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: यद्
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• अर्थः: purpose/need
• अर्थः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• कारणेन: by a cause/means
• कारणेन: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: कारण
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• इह: here/in this world
• इह: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इह

• कर्मणि: in an action/undertaking
• कर्मणि: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्मन्
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• तत्: that (respective)
• तत्: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• आलम्बते: resorts to/depends on
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-लम्ब्
• Form: Present, 3, Singular, Ātmanepada

• सर्वः: everyone
• सर्वः: Karta
• Type: Pronoun/Adjective
• Root: सर्व
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• स्वे: in one's own
• स्वे: Adhikarana
• Type: Pronoun/Adjective
• Root: स्व
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative, Singular

• स्वे: in one's own (respective)
• स्वे: Adhikarana
• Type: Pronoun/Adjective
• Root: स्व
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative, Singular

• स्वार्थ-परिग्रहे: in the pursuit/appropriation of one's own aim
• स्वार्थ-परिग्रहे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वार्थपरिग्रह
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

Speaker

जनक उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Janaka

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

People naturally rely on whatever instrument or method helps them achieve their intended goal; attachment to means arises from the pursuit of one’s chosen end.

What is happening in the narrative?

King Janaka is speaking in a didactic context, explaining a general principle of worldly conduct: in the realm of action, individuals adopt the supports and resources that serve their personal objectives.