Shloka 5

Prāyaścitta-vidhāna: Tapas, Dāna, Vrata, and Proportional Expiation (प्रायश्चित्तविधानम्)

Devanagari script

तैरेवमुक्तो भगवान्‌ मनु: स्वायम्भुवो<ब्रवीत्‌ | श्रुश्नूषध्वं यथावृत्तं धर्म व्याससमासत:

Transliteration

tair evam ukto bhagavān manuḥ svāyambhuvo 'bravīt | śruśrūṣadhvaṃ yathāvṛttaṃ dharmaṃ vyāsa samāsataḥ ||

Translation

Thus addressed by them, the venerable Manu, born of the Self-existent (Svayambhū), replied: “Listen attentively. I shall relate, in due order, the true nature of dharma—briefly, O Vyāsa.”

Word by Word

• {'taiḥ': 'by them (instrumental plural of tad)', 'evam': 'thus, in this manner', 'uktaḥ': 'addressed, spoken to', 'bhagavān': 'venerable, blessed one

• an honorific for a revered sage', 'manuḥ': 'Manu

• primordial lawgiver and progenitor', 'svāyambhuvaḥ': 'born of Svayambhū (the Self-existent)

• epithet of Manu', 'abravīt': 'said, spoke', 'śruśrūṣadhvam': 'listen attentively

• be eager to hear (2nd person plural imperative)', 'yathāvṛttam': 'as it occurred

• according to the true account', 'dharmaṃ': 'dharma

• righteous order, duty, law, ethical conduct', 'vyāsa': 'O Vyāsa

• vocative address to the sage Vyāsa', 'samāsataḥ': 'briefly, in summary'}

Speaker

व्यास उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Manu (Svāyambhuva)
• Vyāsa
• Ṛṣis (implied by 'taiḥ' and the address to listeners)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse frames dharma as a knowable, orderly truth to be taught by an authoritative sage. It emphasizes disciplined listening (śruśrūṣā) and presents dharma as something that can be summarized without losing its essential ethical force.

What is happening in the narrative?

After being questioned by the assembled sages, Svāyambhuva Manu begins his response. He calls for attentive hearing and announces that he will explain dharma in proper sequence, giving a concise account addressed to Vyāsa.