Shloka 28

Vṛddha-kanyā-carita and Balarāma’s Kurukṣetra Inquiry (वृद्धकन्या-चरितम् / कुरुक्षेत्रफल-प्रश्नः)

Devanagari script

तस्माद्‌ गत्वा ऋषिश्रेष्ठो याच्यतां सुरसत्तमा:

Transliteration

tasmād gatvā ṛṣiśreṣṭho yācyatāṃ surasattamāḥ

Translation

Therefore, let the foremost of sages go and make the request of those best among the gods—so that what is right and needful may be obtained through proper supplication rather than force.

Word by Word

• तस्मात्: therefore/from that (reason)
• तस्मात्: Apadana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Ablative, Singular

• गत्वा: having gone
• गत्वा: Adhikarana
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम्
• Form: क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral for gerund)

• ऋषिश्रेष्ठः: the best of sages
• ऋषिश्रेष्ठः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषिश्रेष्ठ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• याच्यताम्: let (him) be requested / he should be entreated
• याच्यताम्: Karma
• Type: Verb
• Root: याच्
• Form: लोट् (imperative), Ātmanepada, Third, Singular, Passive (कर्मणि प्रयोग)

• सुरसत्तमाः: O best of gods
• सुरसत्तमाः: Sampradana
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुरसत्तम
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Plural

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• ṛṣiśreṣṭha (a foremost sage)
• surasattamāḥ (the best among the gods)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse emphasizes dharmic method: when seeking help or a boon, one should approach worthy authorities respectfully and ask properly, rather than relying on coercion or improper means.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana narrates a counsel that the foremost sage should go and petition the most excellent gods—indicating a turn toward seeking divine assistance through formal request.