Shloka 21

Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 148: Vāsudeva’s Report—Mobilization and the Nīti Sequence

Sāma–Bheda–Daṇḍa

Devanagari script

अथ कालस्य पयययि वृद्धो नृपतिसत्तम: । सम्भारानभिषेकार्थ कारयामास शास्त्रत:ः,“तदनन्तर कुछ काल बीतनेपर बूढ़े नृपश्रेष्ठ प्रतीपने शास्त्रीय विधिके अनुसार राज्याभिषेकके लिये सामग्रियोंका संग्रह कराया

Transliteration

atha kālasya payyayi vṛddho nṛpatisattamaḥ | sambhārān abhiṣekārthaṃ kārayāmāsa śāstrataḥ ||

Translation

Entonces, al pasar el tiempo, el anciano rey Pratīpa—el primero entre los gobernantes—mandó reunir los materiales necesarios, en estricta conformidad con los śāstras, para la consagración real (abhiṣeka).

Word by Word

अथthen

कालस्यof time

पर्ययेin the course/passage (of time)

वृद्धःaged, old

नृपतिसत्तमःbest of kings

सम्भारान्materials, requisites

अभिषेक-अर्थम्for the purpose of consecration/coronation

कारयामासcaused to be done; had (it) arranged

शास्त्रतःaccording to scripture; as enjoined

Speaker

वायुदेव उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vāyudeva (speaker)

Pratīpa (king)

Abhiṣeka (royal consecration/coronation rite)

Śāstra (scriptural injunctions)

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 that rightful rule is grounded in dharma and śāstric procedure: authority is validated through proper rites and lawful preparation, not mere power or personal desire.

What is happening in the narrative?

After some time, the elderly king Pratīpa arranges for the collection of all necessary items for a coronation, ensuring the ceremony will be performed according to scriptural rules.