Shloka 19

Devanagari script

जानामि प्रणिधानं ते बाल्यात्‌ प्रभृति नन्दिनी | ब्राह्मणेष्विह सर्वेषु गुरुबन्धुषु चैव ह,“माता-पिताका आनन्द बढ़ानेवाली पुत्री! मैं जानता हूँ, बचपनसे ही तुम्हारा चित्त एकाग्र है। समस्त ब्राह्मणों, गुरुजनों, बन्धु-बान्धवों, सेवकों, मित्रों, सम्बन्धियों तथा माताओंके प्रति और मेरे प्रति भी तुम सदा यथोचित बर्ताव करती आयी हो। तुमने अपने सद्भावसे सबको प्रभावित कर लिया है

Transliteration

vaiśampāyana uvāca | jānāmi praṇidhānaṃ te bālyāt prabhṛti nandini | brāhmaṇeṣv iha sarveṣu gurubandhuṣu caiva ha ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: “O Nandinī, I know your steadfast dedication from your very childhood. Here among all the brāhmaṇas, and toward your elders and kinsmen as well, you have consistently conducted yourself with due propriety.”

Word by Word

जानामिI know

प्रणिधानम्concentration, fixed attention

तेyour

बाल्यात्from childhood

प्रभृतिsince, from (that time) onward

नन्दिनिO Nandini (delight-giving one)

ब्राह्मणेषुamong/with regard to Brahmins

इहhere, in this matter

सर्वेषुin/among all

गुरुबन्धुषुamong gurus and kinsmen

चand

एवindeed, just

हindeed (emphatic particle)

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Nandinī

Brāhmaṇas

Gurus/Elders

Bandhus (kinsmen/relatives)

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse praises disciplined focus (praṇidhāna) and consistent propriety toward brāhmaṇas, elders, and family—presenting ethical character as something formed from childhood through steady, respectful conduct.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana addresses Nandinī and affirms that he has long observed her unwavering dedication and her proper behavior toward the respected members of society—brāhmaṇas, elders/teachers, and relatives—thereby commending her established virtue.