Shloka 50

Vyāsa’s Counsel to Yudhiṣṭhira: Pratismṛti-vidyā, Arjuna’s Aśtra-Quest, and the Move to Kāmyaka

Devanagari script

एवमुक्त: सहस्राक्षं प्रत्युवाच धनंजय: । प्राउजलि: प्रणतो भूत्वा शूर: कुरुकुलोद्वह:,यह सुनकर कुरुकुलरत्न शूरवीर अर्जुनने सहस्र नेत्रधारी इन्द्रसे हाथ जोड़कर प्रणामपूर्वक कहा--

Transliteration

evam uktaḥ sahasrākṣaṃ pratyuvāca dhanañjayaḥ | prāñjaliḥ praṇato bhūtvā śūraḥ kurukulodvahaḥ ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: Thus addressed, Dhanañjaya (Arjuna)—the heroic pride of the Kuru line—bowed with joined palms and, in a spirit of reverent humility, replied to Sahasrākṣa (Indra). The scene underscores the ethic of honoring rightful authority and approaching divine counsel with disciplined respect.

Word by Word

एवम्thus

उक्तःhaving been spoken to / addressed

सहस्राक्षम्the thousand-eyed one (Indra)

प्रत्युवाचreplied / spoke in return

धनंजयःDhananjaya (Arjuna)

प्राञ्जलिःwith joined palms

प्रणतःbowed down / prostrated

भूत्वाhaving become / being

शूरःthe brave one

कुरुकुलोद्वहःthe upholder/ornament of the Kuru lineage

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Arjuna (Dhanañjaya)

Indra (Sahasrākṣa)

Kuru lineage (Kuru-kula)

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?

The verse highlights dharmic conduct in receiving instruction: even a mighty warrior approaches a higher authority—especially a divine elder—with humility (praṇāma) and self-restraint (añjali), signaling readiness to listen and respond responsibly.

What is happening in the narrative?

After Indra (Sahasrākṣa) addresses him, Arjuna (Dhanañjaya) respectfully bows with folded hands and begins his reply. The narration frames Arjuna’s response as courteous and disciplined, fitting for a Kuru hero in a sacred encounter.