Shloka 18

Yudhiṣṭhira’s Procession, Encampment (Niveśa), and Auspicious Timing for Ritual Action

Devanagari script

कृत्वा तु पाण्डवा: सर्वे रत्नाहरणनिश्चयम्‌ । सेनामाज्ञापयामास;ुर्नक्षत्रेडहनि च ध्रुवे,इस प्रकार समस्त पाण्डवोंने रत्न लानेका निश्चय करके ध्रुवसंज्ञक- नक्षत्र एवं दिनमें सेनाको यात्राके लिये तैयार होनेकी आज्ञा दी

Transliteration

Vaiśampāyana uvāca: kṛtvā tu pāṇḍavāḥ sarve ratnāharaṇa-niścayam | senām ājñāpayāmāsur nakṣatre ’hani ca dhruve ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: Having all resolved to procure and bring back the jewels, the Pāṇḍavas ordered the army to make ready for the journey, choosing the auspicious time marked by the Dhruva constellation and day. The passage underscores deliberate resolve joined with disciplined action, and the traditional concern to align royal undertakings with favorable omens rather than impulsive force.

Word by Word

• कृत्वा: having done / having made
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (absolutive/gerund)

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

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

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• रत्नाहरणनिश्चयम्: the resolve to bring/obtain jewels
• रत्नाहरणनिश्चयम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: रत्नाहरणनिश्चय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• सेनाम्: the army
• सेनाम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: सेना (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• आज्ञापयामासुः: they commanded/ordered
• Type: Verb
• Root: आज्ञा + √पय्/पि (णिच्) (धातु-प्रयोग: आज्ञापयति)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), Third, Plural, Parasmaipada

• नक्षत्रे: in/at the constellation
• नक्षत्रे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: नक्षत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• अहनि: on the day
• अहनि: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

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

• ध्रुवे: in/at (the) Dhruva (fixed) [nakshatra/time]
• ध्रुवे: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ध्रुव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Pāṇḍavas
• army (senā)
• ratna (jewels/treasures)
• Dhruva nakṣatra

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights purposeful resolve (niścaya) coupled with orderly execution (ājñā), and the traditional dharmic practice of beginning major royal actions at an auspicious time—suggesting that power should be guided by deliberation, discipline, and respect for established norms.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana narrates that the Pāṇḍavas collectively decide to obtain the jewels and then command their army to prepare for departure, selecting a time associated with the Dhruva constellation and day as favorable for travel and undertaking.