Shloka 19

Jarāsandha–Vāsudeva Saṃvāda: Kṣātra-Dharma, Pride, and the Ethics of Coercion

Sabhā Parva, Adhyāya 20

Devanagari script

एवं प्रज्ञानयबलं क्रियोपायसमन्वितम्‌ | पुरस्कुर्वीत कार्येषु कृष्णं कार्यार्थसिद्धये

Transliteration

evaṁ prajñānaya-balaṁ kriyopāya-samanvitam | puraskurvīta kāryeṣu kṛṣṇaṁ kāryārtha-siddhaye ||

Translation

ユディシュティラは言った。「かくして、目的と事業を成就するためには、あらゆる企てにおいてクリシュナを先頭に立てるのがふさわしい。識別の智慧と正しき政（まつりごと）、力、精励の行い、そして実際の方策を具えたクリシュナを前に置けば、望むところは必ずや成就する。」

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus, in this manner
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम्

• प्रज्ञानयबलम्: intelligence, policy, and strength (as a set)
• प्रज्ञानयबलम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रज्ञान-नीति-बल
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• क्रियोपायसमन्वितम्: endowed with effort and means
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्रिया-उपाय-समन्वित
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• पुरस्कुर्वीत: should place in front / should put foremost
• Type: Verb
• Root: पुरस्-कृ
• Form: Optative (Vidhi-lin), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• कार्येषु: in (all) tasks/undertakings
• कार्येषु: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: कार्य
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Plural

• कृष्णम्: Krishna
• कृष्णम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृष्ण
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• कार्यार्थसिद्धये: for the accomplishment of the purpose of the task
• कार्यार्थसिद्धये: Sampradana
• Type: Noun
• Root: कार्य-अर्थ-सिद्धि
• Form: Feminine, Dative, Singular

Speaker

युधिछिर उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Yudhiṣṭhira
• Kṛṣṇa

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Success in any undertaking requires a complete set of virtues—clear discernment (prajñā), prudent policy (naya), strength (bala), energetic action (kriyā), and effective means (upāya). Yudhiṣṭhira teaches that Kṛṣṇa embodies this integrated excellence; therefore, one should prioritize his guidance and leadership to ensure the rightful and effective completion of one’s aims.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Sabha Parva’s courtly context, Yudhiṣṭhira is speaking about how great objectives are achieved in public and political life. He emphasizes that when important tasks are to be carried out, Kṛṣṇa should be placed at the head of the endeavor—both as a practical strategist and as the most reliable guide—so that the intended purpose is accomplished without misstep.