Shloka 13

Parīkṣit-janma-saṃkaṭa and Kuntī’s petition to Vāsudeva (परिक्षिज्जन्मसंकटं कुन्त्याः प्रार्थना च)

Devanagari script

अर्चयित्वा द्विजाग्रयान्‌ स स्वस्ति वाच्य च वीर्यवान्‌ | तेषां पुण्याहघोषेण तेजसा समवस्थित:

Transliteration

arcayitvā dvijāgryān sa svasti vācya ca vīryavān | teṣāṁ puṇyāhaghoṣeṇa tejasā samavasthitaḥ ||

Translation

વીર્યવાને શ્રેષ્ઠ દ્વિજોને અર્ચના કરીને તેમની પાસે સ્વસ્તિવાચન કરાવ્યું; તેમના પુણ્યાહઘોષથી તે તેજસ્વી બની સ્થિરભાવથી સ્થિત રહ્યો.

Word by Word

अर्चयित्वाhaving worshipped/honoured

द्विजाग्रयान्the foremost Brahmins (best of the twice-born)

सःhe

स्वस्तिwell-being; auspiciousness

वाच्यto be recited/caused to be spoken (auspicious words)

चand

वीर्यवान्valiant; possessed of prowess

तेषाम्of them

पुण्याहघोषेणby/with the proclamation of 'pुण्याह' (auspicious benediction)

तेजसाby splendour; with radiance

समवस्थितःstood/was present; remained stationed

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

dvijāgryāḥ (foremost brāhmaṇas)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights that rightful action and leadership are strengthened by honoring spiritual authority and receiving auspicious benedictions; true ‘tejas’ is not only martial power but also the radiance that comes from dharmic sanction and ritual propriety.

What is happening in the narrative?

A heroic figure formally honors eminent brāhmaṇas and has them pronounce blessings (svasti, puṇyāha). Empowered by their sacred proclamation, he stands steady and radiant, indicating readiness and legitimacy for the ensuing rite or undertaking.