Shloka 14

Yudhiṣṭhira’s Remorse and Vyāsa’s Teaching on Impermanence (Śoka-nivāraṇa)

Devanagari script

आचार्य श्न महेष्वास: सर्वपार्थिवपूजित:

Transliteration

ācāryaḥ śrīmahēṣvāsaḥ sarvapārthivapūjitaḥ

Translation

Yudhiṣṭhira évoque le maître vénéré comme un archer puissant, honoré par tous les rois—soulignant le poids moral qui naît lorsqu’une figure si éminente, respectée de tous, devient le centre des questions de devoir, de conduite et d’action juste.

Word by Word

• आचार्यः: the teacher/preceptor
• आचार्यः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: आचार्य
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

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

• महेष्वासः: the great archer (lit. one having a great bow)
• महेष्वासः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: महेष्वास
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• सर्वपार्थिवपूजितः: honored by all kings
• सर्वपार्थिवपूजितः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्वपार्थिवपूजित
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

युधिछिर उवाच

Characters & Entities

• ācārya (the preceptor, unnamed in this fragment)
• pārthivāḥ (kings)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores the ethical significance of an ācārya: a teacher is not merely skilled (a mighty archer) but also socially and morally weighty—revered by all rulers—so decisions involving such a person demand heightened discernment, restraint, and dharmic sensitivity.

What is happening in the narrative?

In Śānti Parva’s reflective setting, Yudhiṣṭhira describes the preceptor as universally honored and exceptionally capable, framing a discussion where the stature of a teacher and the obligations owed to such a figure become central to evaluating right conduct.