Shloka 16

Nārada’s Darśana of Viśvarūpa Nārāyaṇa and the Caturmūrti Doctrine (नारदस्य नारायणदर्शनं चतुर्मूर्तिविचारश्च)

Devanagari script

वेदानधीत्य दक्षिणामपवर्ज्य च । अभ्यनुज्ञामथ प्राप्य समावर्तेत वै द्विज:

Transliteration

vedān adhītya dakṣiṇām apavarjya ca | abhyanujñām atha prāpya samāvarteta vai dvijaḥ ||

Translation

Janaka said: “Having studied the Vedas, and having duly offered the teacher’s fee, and then having obtained permission (from the preceptor), the twice-born student should formally return from his period of studentship.”

Word by Word

• वेदान्: the Vedas
• वेदान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• अधीत्य: having studied
• Type: Verb
• Root: अधि-इ
• Form: क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage), Prior action (having done)

• दक्षिणाम्: the teacher’s fee / honorarium
• दक्षिणाम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्षिणा
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• अपवर्ज्य: having offered/presented (as a gift)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अप-√वृज्
• Form: क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage), Prior action (having done)

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

• अभ्यनुज्ञाम्: permission/leave (from the teacher)
• अभ्यनुज्ञाम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभ्यनुज्ञा
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• अथ: then
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ

• प्राप्य: having obtained
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-आप्
• Form: क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage), Prior action (having done)

• समावर्तेत: should return (home) / should perform the graduation-return
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-√वृत्
• Form: Vidhi-lin (optative), Atmanepada, Third, Singular

• वै: indeed
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै

• द्विजः: the twice-born (brahmin etc.)
• द्विजः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

जनक उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Janaka
• Vedas
• dakṣiṇā
• dvija

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse lays down a dharmic sequence for a Vedic student: complete study, honor the teacher through dakṣiṇā, seek the teacher’s consent, and only then conclude studentship through samāvartana—emphasizing gratitude, discipline, and proper closure of obligations.

What is happening in the narrative?

Janaka is describing the proper conduct of a dvija who has finished Vedic education, outlining the formal steps required before returning to household life or the next stage of life.