Shloka 97

Kubera’s Fivefold Nīti and Protection of the Pāṇḍavas (वैश्रवणोपदेशः)

Devanagari script

गीतानां समतालानां तथा साम्नां च नि:ःस्वन:

Transliteration

gītānāṃ samatālānāṃ tathā sāmnāṃ ca niḥsvanaḥ

Translation

Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “There arose a resonant sound—the measured rhythms of sung melodies, and likewise the deep-toned reverberation of Sāman chants.”

Word by Word

• गीतानाम्: of songs
• गीतानाम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: गीता
• Form: Feminine, Genitive, Plural

• समतालानाम्: of even/regular rhythms (equal time-measures)
• समतालानाम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: समताल
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Plural

• तथा: and likewise
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा

• साम्नाम्: of Sāman-chants (Sāmavedic hymns)
• साम्नाम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: सामन्
• Form: Neuter, Genitive, Plural

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

• निःस्वनः: sound; resonance
• निःस्वनः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: निःस्वन
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśaṃpāyana
• gīta (songs)
• tāla (rhythmic measure)
• sāman (Sāma-veda chant)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the cultural-ethical ideal of ordered, harmonious expression—measured song and Vedic chant—suggesting auspiciousness and disciplined practice (niyama) rather than disorderly noise.

What is happening in the narrative?

The narrator describes the audible atmosphere: rhythmic singing and the reverberant sound of Sāman chants are heard, indicating a setting marked by ceremonial or devotional performance.