Shloka 22

Devanagari script

वर्चस्विनां ब्राह्मणानां स्नातकानां परिच्छदम्‌ | आच्छाद्य सुद्ददां वाक्यैर्मनोज्जैरभिनन्दिता:,उन्होंने तेजस्वी स्नातक ब्राह्मणोंके-से वस्त्र पहनकर उनके द्वारा अपने क्षत्रियरूपको छिपाकर यात्रा की। उस समय हितैषी सुहृदोंने मनोहर वचनोंद्वारा उन सबका अभिनन्दन किया

Transliteration

varcasvināṃ brāhmaṇānāṃ snātakānāṃ paricchadam | ācchādya sudṛḍhāṃ vākyair manojñair abhinanditāḥ ||

Translation

Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Cubriéndose con el atuendo de radiantes brahmanes snātaka, ocultaron su condición de kṣatriyas y prosiguieron el viaje. Entonces, sus amigos bienintencionados los saludaron y honraron con palabras gratas y alentadoras, favoreciendo así su paso discreto.

Word by Word

वर्चस्विनाम्of the radiant/illustrious

ब्राह्मणानाम्of the Brahmins

स्नातकानाम्of the स्नातक-s (graduates/initiated householders)

परिच्छदम्attire/garb

आच्छाद्यhaving covered/put on

सुदृढाम्firm/strong

वाक्यैःwith words/speeches

मनोज्जैःpleasing/charming

अभिनन्दिताःwere congratulated/welcomed

Speaker

वैशग्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśaṃpāyana

Brāhmaṇas

Snātakas

Paricchada (Brahmin attire)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights prudent conduct aligned with dharma: when circumstances demand safety and discretion, adopting a socially respected guise can prevent conflict, while the supportive speech of well-wishers becomes an ethical act of protection and solidarity.

What is happening in the narrative?

The group travels while concealing their Kṣatriya identity by wearing the dress of snātaka Brahmins. As they set out, friendly well-wishers honor them with pleasing words, reinforcing their safe and discreet movement.