Shloka 40

Udyoga Parva 142: Vidura’s warning to Kuntī and Kuntī’s resolve to meet Karṇa

Gaṅgātīra encounter begins

Devanagari script

अधिरूढा नरव्याप्रा नरवाहनमुत्तमम्‌ | त्रय एते मया दृष्टा: पाण्डुरच्छत्रवासस:,“नकुल, सहदेव तथा महारथी सात्यकि--ये तीन नरश्रेष्ठ मुझे स्वप्नमें श्वेत भुजबन्द, श्वेत कण्ठहार, श्वेत वस्त्र और श्वेत मालाओंसे विभूषित हो उत्तम नरयान (पालकी)-पर चढ़े दिखायी दिये हैं। ये तीनों ही श्वेत छत्र और श्वेत वस्त्रोंसे सुशोभित थे

Transliteration

sañjaya uvāca | adhirūḍhā naravyāprā naravāhanam uttamam | traya ete mayā dṛṣṭāḥ pāṇḍuracchatravāsasaḥ ||

Translation

Sañjaya said: “I saw these three—active and resolute men—mounted upon an excellent man-borne conveyance. Clad in pale-white garments and shaded by white parasols, they appeared to me (in a dream) as auspiciously adorned.”

Word by Word

• [{'term': 'sañjaya uvāca', 'definition': '‘Sañjaya said’

• narrative marker introducing the speaker'}, {'term': 'adhirūḍhāḥ', 'definition': 'mounted, having ascended (a vehicle)'}, {'term': 'nara-vyāprāḥ', 'definition': 'men engaged in action

• energetic, intent on their task'}, {'term': 'nara-vāhanam', 'definition': 'a man-borne vehicle

• palanquin/litter carried by men'}, {'term': 'uttamam', 'definition': 'excellent, best, superior'}, {'term': 'trayaḥ ete', 'definition': 'these three'}, {'term': 'mayā dṛṣṭāḥ', 'definition': 'seen by me'}, {'term': 'pāṇḍura', 'definition': 'pale-white, whitish'}, {'term': 'chatravāsasaḥ', 'definition': 'having parasols and garments (here: white parasols and white clothing)

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• palanquin/litter (nara-vāhana)
• white parasol (chatra)
• white garments (vāsaḥ)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse uses an omen-like dream image to underscore that moral and political crises (here, the approach of war) unfold under signs that suggest destiny and public legitimacy. The white attire and parasol evoke purity, honor, and royal dignity—hinting that the agents involved are moving toward a consequential, fated action.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports a vision: he sees three energetic men mounted on an excellent man-borne conveyance, distinguished by white parasols and white clothing. In context, such a report functions as a portent communicated to the court, heightening tension and foreshadowing imminent developments.