Shloka 58

Devanagari script

चापाचार्यस्य तस्यासौ सखा राज्ञो महात्मनः अतस् तद्गौरवात् तेन सहालापम् अथाकरोत्

Transliteration

cāpācāryasya tasyāsau sakhā rājño mahātmanaḥ atas tadgauravāt tena sahālāpam athākarot

Translation

He was a friend of that venerable, great-souled king, and a companion of the teacher of the bow. Therefore, honoring his dignity and station, he then entered into conversation with him.

Word by Word

• चापाचार्यस्य: of the bow-teacher
• चापाचार्यस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चाप-आचार्य (प्रातिपदिक; घटकौ: चाप + आचार्य)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (चापस्य आचार्यः)

• तस्य: of him
• तस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• असौ: that man (he)
• असौ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: असद्/अदस् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• सखा: friend
• सखा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सखि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• राज्ञः: of the king
• राज्ञः: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• महात्मनः: of the great-souled
• महात्मनः: Visheshana (Adjectival modifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक; घटकौ: महा + आत्मन्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (राज्ञः)

• अतः: therefore
• अतः: Sambandha (Logical connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; हेत्वर्थक-निपातः (therefore/from that reason)

• तद्गौरवात्: from/owing to that respect (for him)
• तद्गौरवात्: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद्-गौरव (प्रातिपदिक; घटकौ: तद् + गौरव)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (तस्य गौरवम्)

• तेन: with him
• तेन: Sahakari (Instrument/साधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• सह: together with
• सह: Sahartha (Association/सह)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सह (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; सहार्थक-उपसर्ग/निपातः (with)

• आलापम्: conversation
• आलापम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आलाप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (Discourse marker/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रमणार्थक-निपातः (then/now)

• अकरोत्: did/made (began)
• अकरोत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/past), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)

Dynasty & Genealogy

Dharma Exemplar: Sat-saṅga / maryādā (respectful conduct toward the eminent)

Key Kings: Sapatnajit

Characters & Entities

• A great-souled king
• An archery preceptor (cāpācārya)
• A friend/companion (unnamed figure)

FAQs

What is the significance of respectful dialogue in the Vishnu Purana’s royal narratives?

This verse highlights that righteous kingship is expressed not only through power but through decorum—honoring worthy persons and engaging them respectfully, which supports stable and dharmic rule.

How does Sage Parāśara frame governance and sovereignty in this context?

By presenting social hierarchy and personal dignity (gaurava) as reasons for action, Parāśara shows that authority in the dynasty accounts is meant to be guided by dharma and ethical restraint, not mere dominance.

What is the theological importance of Lord Vishnu here?

Even when Vishnu is not explicitly named, the Purana’s dynastic episodes model dharma as part of Vishnu’s cosmic order—right conduct in kings and teachers reflects the maintained harmony (ṛta/dharma) under the Supreme Reality.