Shloka 21
Adhyāya 33: Antarvedī-Samāgama, Arghya-Nirṇaya, and Śiśupāla’s Objection
तद् दीक्षापय गोविन्द त्वमात्मानं महाभुज । त्वयीष्टवति दाशार्ह विपाप्मा भविता हाहम्,विशाल भुजाओंवाले गोविन्द! आप स्वयं यज्ञकी दीक्षा ग्रहण कीजिये। दाशाहई! आपके यज्ञ करनेपर मैं पापरहित हो जाऊँगा
tad dīkṣāpaya govinda tvam ātmānaṃ mahābhuja | tvayīṣṭavati dāśārha vipāpmā bhavitā hy aham ||
Yudhiṣṭhira dit : «Ainsi, ô Govinda, ô puissant aux grands bras, prends toi-même la dīkṣā, la consécration pour ce sacrifice. Ô Dāśārha, lorsque tu accompliras ce rite, je serai délivré du péché.»
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical idea that ritual action gains legitimacy and purifying power when guided by a righteous and spiritually authoritative agent. Yudhiṣṭhira expresses humility and seeks moral purification by having Kṛṣṇa himself undertake the sacrificial consecration, implying that purity and dharma depend not only on the act but also on the worthiness of the performer and intention.
In the context of preparations for a major royal sacrifice, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Kṛṣṇa with honorific epithets and requests that Kṛṣṇa accept the dīkṣā (consecration) and perform the sacrifice. Yudhiṣṭhira believes that Kṛṣṇa’s performance will remove sin and ensure the rite’s success and righteousness.