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Shloka 18

अलम्बुस-वधः

The Neutralization of Alambusa

अलंकृतं चाश्वशतं वासांसीश श्र दक्षिणा:,इसके सिवा उन पाण्डुनन्दनने ब्राह्मणोंको सजे-सजाये सौ घोड़े, उत्तम वस्त्र, इच्छानुसार दक्षिणा और बछड़ोंसहित दूध देनेवाली बहुत-सी कपिला गौएँ दीं। उन गौओंके सींगोंमें सोने और खुरोंमें चाँदी मढ़े हुए थे। उन सबको देकर युधिष्ठिरने उन (गौओं एवं ब्राह्मणों)-की परिक्रमा की

sañjaya uvāca | alaṅkṛtaṃ cāśvaśataṃ vāsāṃsi ca śubhāṇi dakṣiṇāś ca yathāmanoramāḥ | tataḥ sa pāṇḍunandanaḥ payasvinīḥ kapilā bahvīḥ savatsāḥ suśobhanāḥ dadau | tāsāṃ śṛṅgeṣu suvarṇaṃ khureṣu rajataṃ ca niveśitam | tāḥ sarvāḥ pradāya yudhiṣṭhiraḥ tān gāś ca brāhmaṇāṃś ca pradakṣiṇam akarot ||

サンジャヤは言った。パーンドゥの子(ユディシュティラ)は、婆羅門たちに、飾り立てた馬百頭、上質の衣、そして望みに応じたダクシナー(供養の贈与)を授けた。さらに子牛を伴う乳牛、黄褐色のカピーラー牛を数多く与えた—角には金を、蹄には銀を施して。すべてを施し終えると、ユディシュティラは牛と婆羅門の双方を、敬虔に右繞(プラダクシナー)した。

अलंकृतम्adorned, decorated
अलंकृतम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootअलंकृत (कृ धातु, क्त प्रत्यय)
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
and
:
TypeIndeclinable
Root
अश्वशतम्a hundred horses
अश्वशतम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootअश्व-शत
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
वासांसिgarments, clothes
वासांसि:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootवासस्
FormNeuter, Accusative, Plural
ईशO lord
ईश:
TypeNoun
Rootईश
FormMasculine, Vocative, Singular
श्रunclear (corrupt reading)
श्र:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootश्र (अस्पष्ट/दूषित पाठ)
दक्षिणाःfees/gifts (to priests)
दक्षिणाः:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootदक्षिणा
FormFeminine, Accusative, Plural

संजय उवाच

S
Sañjaya
Y
Yudhiṣṭhira
P
Pāṇḍavas (by epithet: Pāṇḍunandana)
B
Brāhmaṇas
H
Horses (aśva)
G
Garments (vāsāṃsi)
D
Dakṣiṇā (gifts/fees)
K
Kapilā cows
C
Calves (vatsa)
G
Gold (suvarṇa)
S
Silver (rajata)

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights dāna as a pillar of dharma: a righteous king sustains moral order by giving appropriately, honoring the learned, and showing reverence (pradakṣiṇā). Even in the harsh context of war, ethical conduct is maintained through generosity and respect.

Sañjaya describes Yudhiṣṭhira distributing lavish gifts—adorned horses, fine garments, desired dakṣiṇā, and many decorated milk-cows with calves—to brāhmaṇas, and then circumambulating the recipients and the cows as an act of honor and piety.