Shloka 9

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

Devanagari script

ततः सर्वा महीं जेतुमारब्धावुग्रशासनौ । सैनिकांश्व समाहूय सुतीक्ष्णं वाक्यमूचतु:,तदनन्तर भयंकर शासन करनेवाले वे दोनों दैत्य सारी पृथ्वीको जीतनेके लिये उद्यत हो गये और अपने सैनिकोंको बुलाकर अत्यन्त तीखे वचन बोले--

Transliteration

tataḥ sarvāṁ mahīṁ jetum ārabdhāv ugraśāsanau | sainikāṁś ca samāhūya sutīkṣṇaṁ vākyam ūcatuḥ ||

Translation

Then those two, fierce in their rule, set about conquering the whole earth. Summoning their soldiers, they spoke words of extreme harshness—signaling the onset of a campaign driven by intimidation rather than restraint.

Word by Word

ततःthen/thereupon

सर्वाम्entire

महीम्earth

जेतुम्to conquer

आरब्धौhaving begun/undertaken

उग्रशासनौthe two of fierce rule/command

सैनिकान्soldiers

चand

समाहूयhaving summoned/called together

सुतीक्ष्णम्very sharp/harsh

वाक्यम्speech/words

ऊचतुःthey two said/spoke

Speaker

नारद उवाच

Characters & Entities

Narada

the earth (mahī)

soldiers (sainikāḥ)

two harsh rulers (ugraśāsanau)

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how the pursuit of conquest, when joined with harsh शासन and cruel speech, reflects a decline in restraint and dharma; power exercised through intimidation tends toward adharma and suffering.

What is happening in the narrative?

Nārada describes two fierce rulers preparing to conquer the entire earth: they summon their troops and address them with very harsh, cutting words, indicating an aggressive military undertaking.