Shloka 53

उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय ९३: कृष्णस्य धृतराष्ट्रोपदेशः

Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel to Dhṛtarāṣṭra in the Assembly

Devanagari script

व्यभ्राजत सभाम ध्ये हेम्नीवोपहितो मणि:

Transliteration

vyabhrājata sabhā madhye hemnīvopahito maṇiḥ

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: In the midst of the assembly hall, it shone brilliantly—like a jewel set in gold—standing out with dignified splendor amid the gathered elders and kings. The image underscores how true eminence becomes most visible in a public forum, where honor, legitimacy, and the moral weight of counsel are tested before all.

Word by Word

• व्यभ्राजत: shone forth
• Type: Verb
• Root: भ्राज्
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• सभामध्ये: in the assembly-hall (in the midst of the सभा)
• सभामध्ये: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: सभा + मध्य
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• हेमनि: in gold
• हेमनि: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: हेमन्
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• इव: like/as if
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव

• उपहितः: set/placed (inlaid)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उप-धा (उपहित)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular, Past passive participle (क्त)

• मणिः: a jewel
• मणिः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: मणि
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• sabhā (assembly hall)
• maṇi (jewel)
• hemnī (gold)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse uses a simile—“a jewel set in gold”—to suggest that genuine excellence and rightful stature become especially evident in the public sphere (the sabhā), where reputation, authority, and dharmic standing are scrutinized.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana describes someone or something in the assembly hall as radiantly prominent, visually and socially distinguished, like a precious gem mounted in gold, emphasizing the grandeur and charged significance of the court setting.