Shloka 78

Kṛṣṇa at Duryodhana’s House: Refusal of Hospitality and Departure to Vidura (कृष्णस्य धार्तराष्ट्रनिवेशनगमनम्)

Devanagari script

माद्रीपुत्रौ च वक्तव्यौ क्षत्रधर्मरतौ सदा । विक्रमेणार्जितान्‌ भोगान्‌ वृणीतं जीवितादपि

Transliteration

mādrīputrau ca vaktavyau kṣatradharmaratau sadā | vikrameṇārjitān bhogān vṛṇītaṃ jīvitād api ||

Translation

Dijo Vaiśampāyana: «Y habla también a los dos hijos de Mādrī, siempre fieles al dharma de los kṣatriyas: “Hijos, escoged y defended los goces y los derechos ganados por vuestro propio valor, aun al precio de la vida.”»

Word by Word

• माद्रीपुत्रौ: the two sons of Madri (Nakula and Sahadeva)
• माद्रीपुत्रौ: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: माद्रीपुत्र
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Dual

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• वक्तव्यौ: to be addressed / should be told
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वच्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

• क्षत्रधर्मरतौ: devoted to kshatriya-duty
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्षत्रधर्मरत
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

• सदा: always
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सदा

• विक्रमेण: by valor / by prowess
• विक्रमेण: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: विक्रम
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• अर्जितान्: won / acquired
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अर्जित
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• भोगान्: enjoyments, possessions
• भोगान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: भोग
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• वृणीतम्: choose (you two)! / accept (you two)!
• Type: Verb
• Root: वृ (वृणीते)
• Form: Imperative, 2, Dual, Atmanepada

• जीवितात्: than life
• जीवितात्: Apadana
• Type: Noun
• Root: जीवित
• Form: Neuter, Ablative, Singular

• अपि: even
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Mādrī
• Nakula
• Sahadeva
• kṣatradharma
• vikrama
• bhoga
• jīvita

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

A kṣatriya should uphold honor and rightful gains earned through personal valor, valuing duty and courage even above personal safety; the verse urges steadfast commitment to warrior-dharma.

What is happening in the narrative?

Within the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war counsel and messaging, instructions are given to address Nakula and Sahadeva specifically, exhorting them to remain firm in kṣatriya conduct and to stand by what is won through heroic effort, even if it risks their lives.