Shloka 14

Nāmānirukta of Nārāyaṇa (Keśava–Viṣṇu–Vāsudeva) and the Rudra–Nārāyaṇa Unity Theme

Devanagari script

न भ्राजते यथापूर्व निषादानामिवालय: । देवर्षिगणजुष्टो5पि वेदध्वनिनिराकृत:

Transliteration

na bhrājate yathāpūrva niṣādānām ivālayaḥ | devarṣigaṇajuṣṭo 'pi vedadhvaninirākṛtaḥ ||

Translation

Bhishma said: “This place no longer shines as it once did; it looks like the dwelling of Niṣādas. Even though it is frequented by hosts of divine seers, it appears bereft of splendor because the sound of the Veda is absent.”

Word by Word

• [{'term': 'na', 'definition': 'not'}, {'term': 'bhrājate', 'definition': 'shines, appears radiant'}, {'term': 'yathāpūrva', 'definition': 'as before, formerly'}, {'term': 'niṣādānām', 'definition': 'of the Niṣādas

• forest-dwelling tribes/people outside Vedic ritual culture (as portrayed in the epic)'}, {'term': 'iva', 'definition': 'like, as if'}, {'term': 'ālayaḥ', 'definition': 'dwelling, abode, habitation'}, {'term': 'devarṣi-gaṇa', 'definition': 'a multitude/group of divine seers'}, {'term': 'juṣṭaḥ', 'definition': 'frequented, resorted to, honored/served'}, {'term': 'api', 'definition': 'even, although'}, {'term': 'veda-dhvani', 'definition': 'sound/recitation of the Veda

• Vedic chant'}, {'term': 'nirākṛtaḥ', 'definition': 'excluded, removed, absent

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• Niṣādas
• Devarṣis
• Veda (Vedic recitation/sound)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse links the perceived sanctity and radiance of a place to the presence of Vedic sound (veda-dhvani). Even association with holy beings is portrayed as insufficient if the sustaining markers of Vedic ritual culture are absent; sacredness is framed as something maintained through disciplined recitation and practice.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma is describing a location that has lost its former splendor. He contrasts its earlier radiance with its present state, saying it resembles a Niṣāda dwelling because the sound of Vedic chanting is not heard there, despite the place being visited by divine seers.