Mahabharata 3.91.14 — Vana Parva, Adhyaya 91, Shloka 14

Brahmaṇānāṃ Yācanā—Tīrtha-yātrā-prastāvaḥ

The Brahmanas’ Petition and the Proposal of Pilgrimage

Devanagari script

विश्वावसोस्तु तनयाद्‌ गीत॑ नृत्यं च साम च । वादित्रं च यथान्यायं प्रत्यविन्दद्‌ यथाविधि

Transliteration

viśvāvasos tu tanayād gītaṃ nṛtyaṃ ca sāma ca | vāditraṃ ca yathānyāyaṃ pratyavindad yathāvidhi ||

Translation

വൈശമ്പായനൻ പറഞ്ഞു—അതുകൂടാതെ, വിശ്വാവസുവിന്റെ പുത്രനിൽ നിന്നു അദ്ദേഹം യഥാവിധിയും യഥാന്യായവും ആയി ഗാനം, നൃത്തം, സാമഗാനം, വാദ്യകല എന്നിവയും അഭ്യസിച്ചു।

Word by Word

• विश्वावसोः: of Viśvāvasu
• विश्वावसोः: Sambandha
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्वावसु
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• तु: but/indeed
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु

• तनयात्: from (his) son
• तनयात्: Apadana
• Type: Noun
• Root: तनय
• Form: Masculine, Ablative, Singular

• गीतं: song/singing
• गीतं: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: गीत
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• नृत्यं: dance
• नृत्यं: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृत्य
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• साम: Sāman-chant (Sāmaveda singing)
• साम: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: सामन्
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• वादित्रं: instrumental music / musical instrument(s)
• वादित्रं: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: वादित्र
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• यथा: as/according to
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा

• अन्यायम्: otherwise/contrary to rule (here: not otherwise, i.e., properly)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अन्याय

• प्रत्यविन्दत्: obtained/learned (received)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रति-अविन्द् (विद्)
• Form: Imperfect (Laṅ), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• यथा: as/according to
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा

• विधि: rule/prescribed method
• विधि: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: विधि
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Viśvāvasu
• son of Viśvāvasu
• gīta (singing)
• nṛtya (dance)
• sāman (Sāmaveda chant)
• vāditra (musical instruments)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

True accomplishment is gained through disciplined learning—approaching a qualified source and mastering skills 'yathāvidhi' (by rule) and 'yathānyāya' (appropriately). The verse values refinement and right method, not mere talent.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana reports that the person being described received proper instruction from Viśvāvasu’s son in multiple performing arts—singing, dancing, Sāman-chanting, and instrumental music—indicating comprehensive, rule-based training.