Shloka 92

Nāgendra–Brāhmaṇa Saṃvāda: Praśna-vidhi and Dharmic Approach on the Gomatī Riverbank

Devanagari script

सांख्यानां योगिनां चापि यतीनामात्मवेदिनाम्‌ | मनीषितं विजानाति केशवो न तु तस्य ते

Transliteration

sāṅkhyānāṃ yogināṃ cāpi yatīnām ātmavedinām | manīṣitaṃ vijānāti keśavo na tu tasya te ||

Translation

Vaiśaṃpāyana said: Even the intended meaning held by the Sāṅkhyas, the Yogins, and the self-knowing ascetics is truly understood by Keśava; but they do not fully comprehend His intent.

Word by Word

सांख्यानाम्of the Sāṅkhyas (followers of Sāṅkhya)

योगिनाम्of the yogins

चand

अपिalso/even

यतीनाम्of ascetics (yatīs)

आत्मवेदिनाम्of the knowers of the Self

मनीषितम्the thought/intent (doctrine, considered view)

विजानातिknows/understands clearly

केशवःKeśava (Kṛṣṇa)

नnot

तुbut/however

तस्यof him/of that

तेyou (plural)

Speaker

वैशग्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśaṃpāyana

Keśava (Kṛṣṇa)

Sāṅkhyas

Yogins

Yatis (ascetics)

Ātmavedins (knowers of the Self)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse asserts a hierarchy of understanding: even accomplished Sāṅkhyas, Yogins, and self-knowing ascetics have limited grasp, whereas Keśava comprehends their deepest intentions—implying the need for humility and recognition of the divine or supreme wisdom as surpassing human attainment.

What is happening in the narrative?

In Vaiśaṃpāyana’s narration within Śānti Parva’s reflective discourse, the speaker emphasizes Keśava’s exceptional insight: He knows the inner purport of various spiritual paths and their practitioners, while they cannot fully fathom His own intent.