Shloka 25

Puṣkara-Tīrtha-Māhātmya and the Phala of Pilgrimage

Nārada–Yudhiṣṭhira; Pulastya–Bhīṣma Transmission

Devanagari script

राज्ञे तित्तिरिकल्माषाउछीमतोडनिलरंहस: । प्रादाद्‌ भ्रात्रे प्रिय: प्रेमणा राजसूये महाक्रतौ,जिन्होंने महायज्ञ राजसूयमें अपने प्यारे भाई धर्मराज युधिष्ठिरको प्रेमपूर्वक वायुके समान वेगशाली तित्तिरिकल्माष नामक सुन्दर घोड़े भेंट किये थे

Transliteration

rājñe tittiri-kalmāṣa uccaiḥ-mato 'nila-raṃhasaḥ | prādād bhrātre priyaḥ premṇā rājasūye mahākratau ||

Translation

Nakula said: “For the king, there was a splendid horse named Tittiri-kalmāṣa—highly prized and swift as the wind. Out of affection and with loving intent, he presented it to his dear brother, King Yudhiṣṭhira, at the great royal consecration sacrifice (Rājasūya).”

Word by Word

राज्ञेto the king

तित्तिरि-कल्माषान्tittiri-kalmaṣa (speckled/variegated) [horses]

उच्छीमतोof the splendid/beautiful one

अनिल-रंहसःof (one) having the speed of the wind

प्रादात्gave

भ्रात्रेto (his) brother

प्रियःthe dear one / beloved (person)

प्रेमणाwith affection

राजसूयेin the Rājasūya (sacrifice)

महाक्रतौin the great rite/sacrifice

Speaker

नकुल उवाच

Characters & Entities

Nakula

Yudhiṣṭhira (Dharmarāja)

Rājasūya sacrifice

Horse: Tittiri-kalmāṣa

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 underscores dharmic generosity and fraternal duty: offering valuable resources with sincere affection to support righteous leadership and a public, sacred undertaking like the Rājasūya.

What is happening in the narrative?

Nakula recalls (or cites) the gifting of a prized, wind-swift horse named Tittiri-kalmāṣa to his beloved brother Yudhiṣṭhira during the great Rājasūya sacrifice, emphasizing the honor and devotion surrounding that royal rite.