Mahabharata 9.50.4 — Shalya Parva, Adhyaya 50, Shloka 4

Sārasvata–Dadhīca Upākhyāna at Sarasvatī Tīrtha

Balarāma’s Pilgrimage Context

Devanagari script

काउ्चने लोष्ठ भावे च समदर्शी महातपा: । देवानपूजयतन्नित्यमतिथींश्व द्विजैः सह

Transliteration

kāñcane loṣṭha-bhāve ca samadarśī mahātapāḥ | devān apūjayat nityam atithīṃś ca dvijaiḥ saha ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana dit : Ce grand ascète regardait d’un même œil l’or et une motte de terre. Toujours constant dans la révérence, il adorait chaque jour les dieux et, avec les brahmanes, honorait et accueillait les hôtes selon les règles de l’hospitalité.

Word by Word

• काञ्चने: in gold
• काञ्चने: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: काञ्चन
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• लोष्ठे: in a clod (of earth)
• लोष्ठे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोष्ठ
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• भावे: in (their) nature/value
• भावे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: भाव
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

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

• समदर्शी: one who sees equally; impartial
• समदर्शी: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: समदर्शिन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• महातपाः: great ascetic
• महातपाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महातपस्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• देवान्: the gods
• देवान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• अपुजयत्: worshipped
• Type: Verb
• Root: पूज्
• Form: Imperfect (Laṅ), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• नित्यम्: always; daily
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य

• अतिथीन्: guests
• अतिथीन्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: अतिथि
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

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

• द्विजैः: with Brahmins (twice-born)
• द्विजैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• सह: together with
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सह

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• devas (gods)
• atithis (guests)
• dvijas (Brahmins)
• gold
• clod of earth

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

True dharma is shown through equanimity toward wealth and poverty (gold and clay) and through steady daily practice of devotion and hospitality—honoring gods, Brahmins, and guests without attachment or discrimination.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana describes a great ascetic’s character: he is indifferent to material value and is portrayed as consistently performing worship and welcoming guests respectfully in the company of Brahmins.