Shloka 4

Kubera’s Arrival and the Disclosure of Agastya’s Curse

Vaiśaṃpāyana–Janamejaya Narrative

Devanagari script

इति ब्रुवन्‌ पाण्डवेयान्‌ पर्युपास्ते सम नित्यदा । परीप्समान: पार्थानां कलापानि धनूंषि च

Transliteration

iti bruvan pāṇḍaveyān paryupāste sama nityadā | parīpsamānaḥ pārthānāṁ kalāpāni dhanūṁṣi ca

Translation

Thus speaking, he would continually attend upon the sons of Pāṇḍu with an even and steady mind. Ever intent on their welfare, he looked after the Pārthas’ quivers and bows as well—serving them with disciplined care rather than mere words.

Word by Word

इतिthus

ब्रुवन्speaking/saying

पाण्डवेयान्the sons/descendants of the Pāṇḍu-line (Pāṇḍavas)

पर्युपास्तेwaits upon/attends/serves

समम्equally, impartially

नित्यदाalways

परीप्समानःdesiring to obtain/seek

पार्थानाम्of the Pārthas (sons of Pṛthā)

कलापानिquivers/sets (of arrows)

धनूंषिbows

चand

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Pāṇḍavas

Pārthas

quivers (kalāpa)

bows (dhanus)

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?

True support is shown through steady, composed service and practical care—protecting others’ readiness and safety (here, by maintaining weapons), not merely through speech.

What is happening in the narrative?

After speaking, the person described continues to attend upon the Pāṇḍavas regularly, remaining even-minded, and takes care of their martial equipment—quivers and bows—out of concern for their welfare.