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Shloka 24

Guṇa-vibhāga and Prāṇa–Agni–Yoga Upadeśa (गुणविभाग तथा प्राण-अग्नि-योगोपदेश)

यदा तदा भूश्वलति सशैलवनकानना । तस्य नि:श्वासवातेन रज उद्धूयते महत्‌

yadā tadā bhūḥ śvalati saśailavanakānanā | tasya niḥśvāsavātena raja uddhūyate mahat |

उत्तंक बोले—जब-जब वह श्वास लेता है, तब पर्वतों, वनों और काननों सहित यह सारी पृथ्वी काँप उठती है; उसके नि:श्वास की आँधी से धूल का विशाल गुबार उठता है, जो सूर्य के पथ तक को ढक देता है।

यदाwhen
यदा:
Adhikarana
TypeIndeclinable
Rootयदा
तदाthen
तदा:
Adhikarana
TypeIndeclinable
Rootतदा
भूःthe earth
भूः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootभू
FormFeminine, Nominative, Singular
चलतिmoves, trembles
चलति:
TypeVerb
Rootचल्
FormPresent, Third, Singular, Parasmaipada
स-शैल-वन-काननाtogether with mountains, forests, and groves
स-शैल-वन-कानना:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootशैल/वन/कानन
FormFeminine, Nominative, Singular
तस्यof him
तस्य:
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormMasculine/Neuter, Genitive, Singular
नि:श्वास-वातेनby the wind of (his) exhalation
नि:श्वास-वातेन:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootनि:श्वास/वात
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Singular
रजःdust
रजः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootरजस्
FormNeuter, Nominative, Singular
उद्धूयतेis blown up, is raised
उद्धूयते:
TypeVerb
Rootउद्-धू
FormPresent, Third, Singular, Atmanepada, Passive/Reflexive usage
महत्great, huge
महत्:
TypeAdjective
Rootमहत्
FormNeuter, Nominative, Singular

उत्तड़क उवाच

U
Uttaṅka
E
Earth (Bhūmi)
M
Mountains (śaila)
F
Forests (vana)
W
Woodlands/groves (kānana)
D
Dust (rajaḥ)
W
Wind of exhalation (niḥśvāsa-vāta)
S
Sun (implied by “sun’s path”)

Educational Q&A

The verse underscores the Mahābhārata’s recurring ethical insight that true power inspires humility and restraint: overwhelming force—here shown through breath that shakes the earth—should evoke reverence and careful conduct rather than arrogance.

Uttaṅka describes a being of immense might whose very breathing makes the earth tremble and raises a colossal dust-cloud that can obscure the sun’s course, heightening the scene’s sense of dread and wonder.