Shloka 18

साम्ब-हरणम्, बलदेवस्य रोषः, हस्तिनापुर-आकर्षणम्

Devanagari script

अस्माभिर् अर्घो भवतो यो ऽयं बल निवेदितः प्रेम्णैतन् नैतद् अस्माकं कुलाद् युष्मत्कुलोचितम्

Transliteration

asmābhir argho bhavato yo 'yaṃ bala niveditaḥ premṇaitan naitad asmākaṃ kulād yuṣmatkulocitam

Translation

This arghya-offering that we have presented to you with affection is but a token of devotion. Yet in truth it does not befit our lineage to offer what is proper only to your noble house.

Word by Word

• अस्माभिः: by us
• अस्माभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• अर्घः: honor-offering, respectful gift
• अर्घः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्घ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• भवतः: of you (hon.)
• भवतः: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; आदरार्थक

• यः: which
• यः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक

• अयम्: this
• अयम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; निर्देशवाचक

• बल: force, strength
• बल: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; (अत्र) कर्तृ/कर्म-सम्भाव्य

• निवेदितः: was offered/presented
• निवेदितः: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि-विद्/नि-वेद् (धातु) + क्त (कृत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय—‘निवेदितः (अस्ति)’

• प्रेम्णा: with love
• प्रेम्णा: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रेमन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; निर्देशवाचक

• न: not
• न: Modifier (Upasarga/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-निपात

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अस्माकम्: of us
• अस्माकम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• कुलात्: from (our) family
• कुलात्: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• युष्मत्कुलोचितम्: proper for your family
• युष्मत्कुलोचितम्: Predicate (Vidheyāṃśa/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युष्मत् + कुल + उचित (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (युष्मत्कुलस्य उचितम्)

Speaker

A royal/noble speaker addressing an honored recipient within the dynastic narrative (Ansha 4 genealogical episode).

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Teaching: Ethical

Quality: compassionate

Avatara Context

Avatara: Krishna

Purpose: Krishna descends to receive and reciprocate offerings of devotion, teaching proper honor (arghya) and the humility that sustains dharma among noble houses.

Leela: Dharma-upadesa

Dharma Restored: Atithi-satkāra (guest honor), humility in offering, and recognition of true nobility grounded in dharma.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: External offerings (arghya) gain sanctity through prema and humility, yet dharma also requires right ordering of honor and propriety.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Offer worship and hospitality with sincerity, while also respecting contextual duties and boundaries rather than using devotion as social manipulation.

Vishishtadvaita: Prema-bhakti is affirmed as meaningful even in small tokens, reflecting the soul’s śeṣatva toward Bhagavān and his representatives.

Dynasty & Genealogy

Vamsha: Chandra

Vaishnava Theology

Vishnu Form: Krishna

Bhakti Type: Dasya

Lakshmi Presence: Sri

FAQs

What is the significance of arghya (अर्घ्य) in the Vishnu Purana’s dynastic narratives?

Arghya functions as a formal act of honoring a guest or superior, reflecting dharma, hierarchy, and the refinement expected in royal lineages.

How does the Vishnu Purana portray lineage-based propriety (kula-ucita dharma) here?

The verse emphasizes that offerings and honors are not merely material but must match social and genealogical appropriateness, reinforcing the moral order upheld by kings.

The theological importance of Lord Vishnu in this context?

Even in genealogies, the Purana frames social order and rightful conduct as part of the cosmic dharma ultimately sustained by Vishnu as the Supreme regulator of order.