Mahabharata 3.37.2 — Vana Parva, Adhyaya 37, Shloka 2

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

Devanagari script

विविक्ते विदितप्रज्ञमर्जुनं पुरुषर्षभ । सान्त्वपूर्व स्मितं कृत्वा पाणिना परिसंस्पृशन्‌

Transliteration

vivikte viditaprajñam arjunaṁ puruṣarṣabha | sāntvapūrvaṁ smitaṁ kṛtvā pāṇinā parisaṁspṛśan |

Translation

ヴァイシャンパーヤナは語った。「人中の最勝者よ、確かな分別で知られるアルジュナは、ひそかな場所で（ユディシュティラに）近づかれた。やさしく慰める微笑をたたえ、手でそっと触れつつ、（ユディシュティラは彼をなだめ始め、）内々に語る備えをした。」

Word by Word

• विविक्ते: in a secluded place
• विविक्ते: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विविक्त
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• विदितप्रज्ञम्: him whose wisdom is well-known
• विदितप्रज्ञम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विदितप्रज्ञ
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• अर्जुनम्: Arjuna
• अर्जुनम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्जुन
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• पुरुषर्षभ: O bull among men (best of men)
• पुरुषर्षभ: Sampradana
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरुषर्षभ
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular

• सान्त्वपूर्वम्: preceded by consolation / as a preface of soothing
• सान्त्वपूर्वम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सान्त्वपूर्व
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• स्मितम्: a smile
• स्मितम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्मित
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• कृत्वा: having done / having made
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ
• Form: Absolutive (Gerund)

• पाणिना: with the hand
• पाणिना: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाणि
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• परिसंस्पृशन्: touching (all around / gently)
• Type: Verb
• Root: परि-सम्-स्पृश्
• Form: Present participle (Parasmaipada), Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Arjuna
• Janamejaya (implied by puruṣarṣabha address in the narrative frame)
• Yudhiṣṭhira (implied as the one consoling/touching, per Gītā Press context)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights ethical leadership through empathy: before giving counsel, a righteous elder-brother/king approaches privately, softens the moment with a reassuring smile and touch, and speaks in a consoling manner—showing that dharmic guidance should be delivered with sensitivity and respect.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the frame narration, Vaiśampāyana describes a private moment where Arjuna is met in seclusion; Yudhiṣṭhira, preparing to speak confidentially, reassures him with a gentle smile and a supportive touch, setting the tone for a consoling conversation.