Shloka 3

Kuntī–Karṇa Saṃvāda: Lineage Disclosure and Appeal to Fraternal Dharma

Devanagari script

उपपन्नो हासौ राजा चेदिपाउ्चालकेकयै: । भीमार्जुनाभ्यां कृष्णेन युयुधानयमैरपि

Transliteration

upapanno hāsau rājā cedipāñcālakekayaiḥ | bhīmārjunābhyāṃ kṛṣṇena yuyudhānayamair api ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: That king, Yudhiṣṭhira, is indeed well supported—by the forces of Cedi, Pāñcāla, and Kekaya, and also by Bhīma and Arjuna, by Kṛṣṇa, and by Yuyudhāna (Sātyaki) and the twins, Nakula and Sahadeva. The tale makes plain that righteous rule is strengthened not by numbers alone, but by able allies bound by duty and shared resolve.

Word by Word

• उपपन्नः: endowed, furnished (with)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उपपन्न (उप-√पद्/पद्यते इति; कृदन्त-विशेषण)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• हासौ: this (he)
• हासौ: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम; असौ)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• राजा: king
• राजा: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• चेदि-पाञ्चाल-केकयैः: by the Cedis, Panchalas, and Kekayas
• चेदि-पाञ्चाल-केकयैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: चेदि + पाञ्चाल + केकय
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• भीम-अर्जुनाभ्याम्: by Bhima and Arjuna
• भीम-अर्जुनाभ्याम्: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीम + अर्जुन
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Dual

• कृष्णेन: by Krishna
• कृष्णेन: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृष्ण
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• युयुधान-यमैः: by Yuyudhana (Satyaki) and the Yamas (i.e., the twins Nakula–Sahadeva, lit. ‘Yama-like’/‘Yama’s’)
• युयुधान-यमैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: युयुधान + यम
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• अपि: also, even
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Yudhiṣṭhira
• Cedi
• Pāñcāla
• Kekaya
• Bhīma (Bhīmasena)
• Arjuna
• Kṛṣṇa
• Yuyudhāna (Sātyaki)
• Nakula
• Sahadeva

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights that a dharmic ruler’s strength lies in worthy support—capable allies and principled companions—suggesting that ethical leadership is sustained through shared duty, loyalty, and competence.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana describes Yudhiṣṭhira as firmly backed by major allied peoples (Cedi, Pāñcāla, Kekaya) and key heroes (Bhīma, Arjuna, Kṛṣṇa, Sātyaki, and the twins), emphasizing the consolidation of support in the lead-up to conflict.