Shloka 7

Adhyāya 42 (Śānti Parva): Śrāddha, Aurdhvadaihika Rites, and Royal Welfare Measures

Devanagari script

सभा: प्रपाश्न विविधास्तटाकानि च पाण्डव:

Transliteration

sabhāḥ prapāś ca vividhās taṭākāni ca pāṇḍavaḥ

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: The Pāṇḍava caused assembly-halls to be built, along with drinking-water stations and many kinds of tanks and reservoirs—public works meant to sustain people and embody righteous kingship.

Word by Word

• सभाः: assembly-halls
• सभाः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: सभा
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Plural

• प्रपाः: water-sheds; drinking-places
• प्रपाः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रपा
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Plural

• विविधाः: various
• विविधाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विविध
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• तटाकानि: tanks; ponds
• तटाकानि: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: तटाक
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Plural

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

• पाण्डवः: the Pandava (son of Pandu)
• पाण्डवः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाण्डव
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Pāṇḍava (Pāṇḍavas)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Righteous rule (rājadharma) is shown not only through personal virtue but through tangible care for society—building halls for civic life and providing water through prapās and reservoirs, which are classic signs of generosity and responsible governance.

What is happening in the narrative?

In Vaiśampāyana’s narration within Śānti Parva, the Pāṇḍava is described as establishing public amenities—assembly halls and water facilities—highlighting the king’s duty to support and protect the populace through constructive, welfare-oriented actions.