Shloka 20

अलर्कोपाख्यानम् — Indriya-Nigraha and Yogic Victory

Mahābhārata 14.30

Devanagari script

तच्छुत्वा स विचिन्त्याथ ततो वचनमब्रवीत्‌,यह सुनकर अलर्कने कुछ सोच-विचारकर ([नेत्रको सुनाते हुए) कहा

Transliteration

tac chrutvā sa vicintyātha tato vacanam abravīt

Translation

Entendant ces paroles, Alarka réfléchit un instant ; puis, après avoir pesé la chose en son esprit, il parla.

Word by Word

• तत्: that (speech/statement)
• तत्: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: neuter, accusative, singular

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: Karma
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु
• Form: क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), parasmaipada (usage), prior action (having heard)

• सः: he
• सः: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

• विचिन्त्य: having thought/considered
• विचिन्त्य: Karma
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + चिन्त्
• Form: क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), prior action (having reflected)

• अथ: then/thereupon
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ

• ततः: thereupon/then
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः

• वचनम्: word; speech
• वचनम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचन
• Form: neuter, accusative, singular

• अब्रवीत्: said/spoke
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू
• Form: लङ् (imperfect), third, singular, parasmaipada

Speaker

अलर्क उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Alarka

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the virtue of thoughtful deliberation (vicāra) before speaking—an ethical discipline central to dharma, especially for rulers and decision-makers.

What is happening in the narrative?

After hearing something significant, Alarka pauses to reflect and then responds, marking a transition from receiving counsel or information to giving a considered reply.