Shloka 83

युधिष्ठिरस्य अर्जुनप्रेषण-युक्तिवर्णनम् | Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rationale for Sending Arjuna and Request to Dhaumya

Devanagari script

इस प्रकार श्रीमह्याभारत वनपववके अन्तर्गत तीर्थयात्रापर्वमें पुलस्त्यतीर्थयात्राविषयक तिरासीवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ,तत्राक्षयवटो नाम त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुत: । तत्र दत्त पितृभ्यस्तु भवत्यक्षयमुच्यते वहाँ तीनों लोकोंमें विख्यात अक्षयवट है। उनके समीप पितरोंके लिये दिया हुआ सब कुछ अक्षय बताया जाता है

Transliteration

tatrākṣayavaṭo nāma triṣu lokeṣu viśrutaḥ | tatra dattaṃ pitṛbhyaḥ tu bhavaty akṣayam ucyate ||

Translation

そこには三界に名高いアクシャヤヴァタ（Akṣayavaṭa、不滅の樹）が立つ。その傍らで祖霊（ピトリ）に捧げられたものはすべて「不尽（アクシャヤ）」と説かれ、功徳は減ずることなく、久しく霊的果報として存続する。ここでは、聖地における正しい施与によって祖先を敬うべき倫理が示され、志と聖なる場の力が布施の利益を確かなものとし、さらに増大させると信じられている。

Word by Word

तत्रthere

अक्षयवटःthe Akshayavata (imperishable banyan tree)

नामby name / called

त्रिषुin three

लोकेषुworlds

विश्रुतःwell-known / renowned

तत्रthere

दत्तम्that which is given (a gift/oblation)

पितृभ्यःto the ancestors (pitṛs)

तुindeed / but

भवतिbecomes / is

अक्षयम्imperishable / inexhaustible

उच्यतेis said / is called

Speaker

घुलस्त्य उवाच

Characters & Entities

Pulastya

Akṣayavaṭa

Pitṛs (ancestors)

Tri-loka (three worlds)

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse teaches that offerings made with proper intent for one’s ancestors at a sanctified tirtha—specifically near the famed Akṣayavaṭa—are regarded as ‘akṣaya’ (undiminishing). It highlights dharma through gratitude to forebears and the enduring value of righteous giving.

What is happening in the narrative?

Pulastya is describing a sacred pilgrimage site: the Akṣayavaṭa, renowned across the three worlds. He explains the special efficacy of ancestral offerings made there, stating that such gifts yield imperishable merit.