Shloka 25

Devanagari script

तैः समेत्यार्चितस्तांश्ष प्रत्यर्च्याथ यथाविधि

Transliteration

taiḥ sametyārcitas tān sa pratyarcyātha yathāvidhi

Translation

Having met with them and been duly honored by them, Yudhiṣṭhira in turn honored them again, following the prescribed rites. The verse underscores reciprocal respect and the ethical duty of returning honor with honor, in accordance with dharma and proper procedure.

Word by Word

• तैः: by them / with them
• तैः: Karana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Plural

• समेत्य: having come together / having met
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-इ (इण्)
• Form: ल्यप् (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage), Non-finite

• अर्चितः: honoured / worshipped
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्च्
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• तान्: them
• तान्: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• प्रत्यर्च्य: having honoured in return / having reciprocally worshipped
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रति-अर्च्
• Form: ल्यप् (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage), Non-finite

• अथ: then / and then
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ

• यथाविधि: according to rule / duly
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा + विधि

Speaker

युधिष्ठिर उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Yudhiṣṭhira

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Honor should be reciprocated and expressed in a lawful, disciplined manner. The verse highlights dharmic conduct: returning respect with respect, not merely as courtesy but as adherence to prescribed social and ritual norms.

What is happening in the narrative?

Yudhiṣṭhira meets a group who honor him first; he then formally returns that honor, performing the appropriate acts of reception and reverence according to established procedure.