Shloka 116

Devanagari script

आनृशंस्यपरो राजा चकारानुग्रहं प्रभु: । दीन-दुखियों और अन्धोंके लिये घर एवं भोजन-वस्त्रकी व्यवस्था करके सबके प्रति कोमलताका बर्ताव करनेवाले सामर्थ्यशाली राजा युधिष्ठिर उनपर बड़ी कृपा रखते थे

Transliteration

ānṛśaṁsyaparo rājā cakārānugrahaṁ prabhuḥ |

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: The mighty king, devoted to compassion, extended his gracious favor. King Yudhiṣṭhira—gentle in conduct toward all—made arrangements of shelter and of food and clothing for the poor, the afflicted, and the blind, showing them sustained kindness and protection as an expression of righteous kingship.

Word by Word

आनृशंस्यपरःhaving compassion as his highest (aim)

राजाking

चकारdid / performed

अनुग्रहम्favor, kindness

प्रभुःlord, powerful one

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Yudhiṣṭhira

the poor (dīna)

the afflicted/sufferers (duḥkhita)

the blind (andha)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

A king’s dharma is expressed through ānṛśaṁsya—active compassion—by protecting the vulnerable and ensuring basic welfare (shelter, food, clothing) with gentle conduct toward all.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana describes Yudhiṣṭhira’s benevolent rule: he shows favor and organizes practical support for the poor, the suffering, and the blind, embodying righteous governance after the great conflict.