Shloka 21

Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 148: Vāsudeva’s Report—Mobilization and the Nīti Sequence

Sāma–Bheda–Daṇḍa

Devanagari script

अथ कालस्य पयययि वृद्धो नृपतिसत्तम: । सम्भारानभिषेकार्थ कारयामास शास्त्रत:ः,“तदनन्तर कुछ काल बीतनेपर बूढ़े नृपश्रेष्ठ प्रतीपने शास्त्रीय विधिके अनुसार राज्याभिषेकके लिये सामग्रियोंका संग्रह कराया

Transliteration

atha kālasya payyayi vṛddho nṛpatisattamaḥ | sambhārān abhiṣekārthaṃ kārayāmāsa śāstrataḥ ||

Translation

Then, as time passed, the aged king Pratīpa—foremost among rulers—had the requisite materials gathered, in strict accordance with the śāstras, for the purpose of a royal consecration (abhiṣeka).

Word by Word

• अथ: then
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ

• कालस्य: of time
• कालस्य: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: काल
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• पर्यये: in the course/passage (of time)
• पर्यये: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर्यय
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• वृद्धः: aged, old
• वृद्धः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वृद्ध
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• नृपतिसत्तमः: best of kings
• नृपतिसत्तमः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृपतिसत्तम
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• सम्भारान्: materials, requisites
• सम्भारान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: सम्भार
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• अभिषेक-अर्थम्: for the purpose of consecration/coronation
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभिषेकार्थ
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• कारयामास: caused to be done; had (it) arranged
• Type: Verb
• Root: कारयामास
• Form: Perfect (Periphrastic), Third, Singular, Parasmaipada

• शास्त्रतः: according to scripture; as enjoined
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: शास्त्रतः

Speaker

वायुदेव उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vāyudeva (speaker)
• Pratīpa (king)
• Abhiṣeka (royal consecration/coronation rite)
• Śāstra (scriptural injunctions)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights that rightful rule is grounded in dharma and śāstric procedure: authority is validated through proper rites and lawful preparation, not mere power or personal desire.

What is happening in the narrative?

After some time, the elderly king Pratīpa arranges for the collection of all necessary items for a coronation, ensuring the ceremony will be performed according to scriptural rules.