Shloka 17

Devanagari script

गमनाय मनश्षक्रे वासुदेवरथं प्रति । तां कृष्णां कृष्णमहिषी चकाराभिप्रदक्षिणम्‌,'भामिनि! उन सबका और प्रद्युम्नका भी तुम्हारे पुत्रोंपर समान प्रेम है।” इस प्रकार हृदयको प्रिय लगनेवाले, सत्य एवं मनके अनुकूल वचन कहकर श्रीकृष्णमहिषी सत्यभामाने अपने स्वामीके रथकी ओर जानेका विचार किया और द्रौपदीकी परिक्रमा की

Transliteration

gamanāya manaḥ śakre vāsudeva-rathaṃ prati | tāṃ kṛṣṇāṃ kṛṣṇa-mahiṣī cakārābhipradakṣiṇam ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: Resolving in her mind to depart toward Vāsudeva’s chariot, Kṛṣṇa’s chief queen respectfully circumambulated Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī).

Word by Word

गमनायfor going / for departure

मनःmind

चक्रेmade / resolved

वासुदेवof Vāsudeva (Krishna)

रथंchariot

प्रतिtowards

तांher

कृष्णांKṛṣṇā (Draupadī)

कृष्णof Kṛṣṇa

महिषीqueen / chief wife

चकारdid / performed

अभिप्रदक्षिणम्circumambulation (keeping to the right)

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa)

Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī)

Kṛṣṇa-mahiṣī (Satyabhāmā)

ratha (chariot)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights dhārmic conduct through respectful gesture: pradakṣiṇā (circumambulation) expresses honor, humility, and goodwill. Even among equals and relatives, ethical speech and courteous action preserve harmony and affirm shared bonds.

What is happening in the narrative?

After speaking pleasing and truthful words, Kṛṣṇa’s queen (Satyabhāmā) decides to go toward Kṛṣṇa’s chariot. Before leaving, she performs a respectful circumambulation of Draupadī (Kṛṣṇā), signaling regard and affectionate solidarity.