Shloka 23

Ādi-parva Adhyāya 209: Śaraṇāgati of the Cursed Apsarases; Nārītīrtha-prasiddhi; Arjuna’s Vimocana

Devanagari script

हाहाभूता भयार्ता च निवृत्तविपणापणा । निवृत्तदेवकार्या च पुण्योद्वाहविवर्जिता,सर्वत्र हाहाकार छा रहा था, भयका आर्तनाद सुनायी पड़ता था। बाजारोंमें खरीद- बिक्रीका नाम नहीं था। देवकार्य बंद हो गये। पुण्य और विवाहादि कर्म छूट गये थे

Transliteration

hāhābhūtā bhayārtā ca nivṛttavipaṇāpaṇā | nivṛttadevakāryā ca puṇyodvāhavivarjitā ||

Translation

Narada said: “Everywhere there was only wailing and panic-stricken cries. Trade and commerce had come to a halt; the markets were silent. Sacred rites for the gods were discontinued, and the customary meritorious observances—such as weddings and other auspicious ceremonies—were abandoned.”

Word by Word

हाहाभूताbecome a wail/cry of ‘hāhā’; in lamentation

भयार्ताdistressed by fear

चand

निवृत्तविपणापणाwith markets and shops ceased

निवृत्तदेवकार्याwith rites/works for the gods stopped

चand

पुण्योद्वाहविवर्जिताdevoid of meritorious rites and marriages

Speaker

नारद उवाच

Characters & Entities

Narada

devas (gods)

markets/shops (vipaṇa/āpaṇa)

weddings (udvāha)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

When fear and disorder prevail, society’s dharmic rhythms collapse: economic exchange stops, ritual duties are neglected, and auspicious life-cycle rites like marriage are abandoned—showing how public stability supports both livelihood and religious-ethical practice.

What is happening in the narrative?

Narada describes a time of widespread panic: people are crying out in terror, commerce has ceased, religious rites for the gods are no longer performed, and auspicious ceremonies—especially weddings—have been suspended.