Shloka 6

अध्याय १८४ — भैक्षविभागः, शयनविधानम्, धृष्टद्युम्नस्य निवेदनम्

Alms Distribution, Night Lodging, and Dhṛṣṭadyumna’s Report

Devanagari script

ते तु दृष्टवा पुरं तच्च स्कन्धावारं च पाण्डवा: । कुम्भकारस्य शालायां निवासं चक्रिरे तदा,द्रपदके नगर और उसकी चहारदीवारीको देखकर पाण्डवोंने उस समय एक कुम्हारके घरमें अपने रहनेकी व्यवस्था की

Transliteration

te tu dṛṣṭvā puraṃ tac ca skandhāvāraṃ ca pāṇḍavāḥ | kumbhakārasya śālāyāṃ nivāsaṃ cakrire tadā ||

Translation

But when the Pāṇḍavas had seen that city and its encampment, they then arranged their lodging in the workshop-house of a potter. The choice reflects prudent concealment and humility—seeking safety without burdening others or courting attention while moving under constraint.

Word by Word

• ते: they
• ते: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• तु: but/indeed
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश्
• Form: क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral)

• पुरम्: city
• पुरम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुर
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• तत्: that
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• स्कन्धावारम्: camp/encampment
• स्कन्धावारम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्कन्धावार
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

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

• पाण्डवाः: the Pandavas
• पाण्डवाः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाण्डव
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• कुम्भकारस्य: of the potter
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुम्भकार
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• शालायाम्: in the hut/workshop
• शालायाम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: शाला
• Form: Feminine, Locative, Singular

• निवासम्: dwelling/residence
• निवासम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: निवास
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• चक्रिरे: they made/arranged
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ
• Form: Perfect (Liṭ), Ātmanepada, Third, Plural

• तदा: then/at that time
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Pāṇḍavāḥ (the Pāṇḍavas)
• pura (the city)
• skandhāvāra (encampment)
• kumbhakāra (potter)
• śālā (potter's workshop/house)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights ethical prudence (nīti) joined with humility: when circumstances demand secrecy and safety, one may choose modest shelter and avoid drawing attention, without harming others or acting arrogantly.

What is happening in the narrative?

After arriving and observing the city and its encampment, the Pāṇḍavas decide to stay inconspicuously in a potter’s workshop-house, setting up their residence there for the time being.