Shloka 28
Vṛddha-kanyā-carita and Balarāma’s Kurukṣetra Inquiry (वृद्धकन्या-चरितम् / कुरुक्षेत्रफल-प्रश्नः)
Devanagari script
तस्माद् गत्वा ऋषिश्रेष्ठो याच्यतां सुरसत्तमा:
Transliteration
tasmād gatvā ṛṣiśreṣṭho yācyatāṃ surasattamāḥ
Translation
ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ಋಷಿಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠನು ಹೋಗಿ ದೇವಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠರನ್ನು ಯಾಚಿಸಲಿ—ಯೋಗ್ಯವೂ ಅಗತ್ಯವೂ ಆದದ್ದು ಬಲದಿಂದಲ್ಲ, ವಿಧಿಪೂರ್ವಕ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆಯಿಂದಲೇ ದೊರಕುವಂತೆ।
Word by Word
तस्मात्therefore/from that (reason)
तस्मात्:
Apadana
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormMasculine/Neuter, Ablative, Singular
गत्वाhaving gone
गत्वा:
Adhikarana
TypeVerb
Rootगम्
Formक्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral for gerund)
ऋषिश्रेष्ठःthe best of sages
ऋषिश्रेष्ठः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootऋषिश्रेष्ठ
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
याच्यताम्let (him) be requested / he should be entreated
याच्यताम्:
Karma
TypeVerb
Rootयाच्
Formलोट् (imperative), Ātmanepada, Third, Singular, Passive (कर्मणि प्रयोग)
सुरसत्तमाःO best of gods
सुरसत्तमाः:
Sampradana
TypeNoun
Rootसुरसत्तम
FormMasculine, Vocative, Plural
Speaker
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Characters & Entities
Ṛ
ṛṣiśreṣṭha (a foremost sage)S
surasattamāḥ (the best among the gods)Character Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
War Context
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Meter (Chandas)
Sandhi Notes
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes dharmic method: when seeking help or a boon, one should approach worthy authorities respectfully and ask properly, rather than relying on coercion or improper means.
Vaiśampāyana narrates a counsel that the foremost sage should go and petition the most excellent gods—indicating a turn toward seeking divine assistance through formal request.