Shloka 9

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

Devanagari script

सग्रामनगरा पार्थ ससागरवनाकरा | भवानेव प्रियो5स्माकं त्वयि भार: समाहित:,जो लोग उसके द्वारा समय-समयपर समादृत हुए हैं, वे कभी उसकी शक्ति क्षीण नहीं होने देंगे | पार्थ! आज यह सारी पृथ्वी ग्राम, नगर, समुद्र, वन तथा खानोंसहित दुर्योधनके वशमें है। तुम्हीं हम सब लोगोंके अत्यन्त प्रिय हो। हमारे उद्धारका सारा भार तुमपर ही है

Transliteration

sa-grāma-nagarā pārtha sa-sāgara-vanākarā | bhavān eva priyo ’smākaṁ tvayi bhāraḥ samāhitaḥ ||

Translation

Yudhiṣṭhira said: “O Pārtha, this whole earth—with its villages and cities, with its seas, forests, and mines—lies under Duryodhana’s control today. You alone are dearest to us; upon you rests the entire burden of our deliverance.”

Word by Word

• {'sa-': 'with

• together with (prefix indicating accompaniment)', 'grāma': 'village', 'nagara': 'city, town', 'pārtha': 'son of Pṛthā

• Arjuna (vocative)', 'sa-sāgara': 'together with the ocean(s)

• including the seas', 'vana': 'forest, woodland', 'ākara': 'mine, quarry

• source/place of extraction', 'bhavān': 'you (honorific pronoun)', 'eva': 'indeed

• emphatic particle', 'priyaḥ': 'dear, beloved', 'asmākam': 'of us

• our', 'tvayi': 'in/with respect to you

• upon you (locative)', 'bhāraḥ': 'burden, responsibility, weight', 'samāhitaḥ': 'placed upon

Speaker

युधिछिर उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Yudhiṣṭhira
• Arjuna (Pārtha)
• Duryodhana
• Pṛthivī (the earth)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse frames dharma in terms of entrusted responsibility: when rightful order is overturned, the burden of restoration may fall upon the most capable and trusted person. It also highlights ethical reliance—leadership is not merely power, but a duty carried for the welfare and rescue of one’s people.

What is happening in the narrative?

Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Arjuna, lamenting that Duryodhana presently holds dominion over the entire realm. He expresses deep trust and affection for Arjuna and declares that the hope of their rescue and the recovery of their rightful position rests chiefly upon him.