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Shloka 40

Kṛṣṇa Visits Indraprastha; Kuntī’s Remembrance; Kālindī and Further Marriages

श्रीभगवानुवाच नरेन्द्र याच्ञा कविभिर्विगर्हिता राजन्यबन्धोर्निजधर्मवर्तिन: । तथापि याचे तव सौहृदेच्छया कन्यां त्वदीयां न हि शुल्कदा वयम् ॥ ४० ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca narendra yācñā kavibhir vigarhitā rājanya-bandhor nija-dharma-vartinaḥ tathāpi yāce tava sauhṛdecchayā kanyāṁ tvadīyāṁ na hi śulka-dā vayam

Sri Bhagavan bersabda: Wahai pemerintah manusia, para bijaksana mencela perbuatan meminta bagi seorang bangsawan yang menunaikan dharmanya. Namun demi menginginkan persahabatanmu, Aku memohon puterimu; Kami tidak menawarkan mas kahwin atau hadiah apa pun.

śrī-bhagavānthe Blessed Lord
śrī-bhagavān:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootśrī-bhagavat (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)
uvācasaid
uvāca:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootvac (धातु)
FormPerfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)
narendraO king of men
narendra:
Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
TypeNoun
Rootnara-indra (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (सम्बोधन), Singular (एकवचन)
yācñābegging/request
yācñā:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootyācñā (प्रातिपदिक)
FormFeminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)
kavibhiḥby sages/poets
kavibhiḥ:
Karana (करण)
TypeNoun
Rootkavi (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural (बहुवचन)
vigarhitācondemned
vigarhitā:
Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootvi-garhita (कृदन्त; √garh धातु)
FormPast passive participle (क्त), Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); agrees with yācñā
rājanya-bandhoḥO kinsman of the royal order
rājanya-bandhoḥ:
Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
TypeNoun
Rootrājanya-bandhu (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (सम्बोधन) or Genitive (षष्ठी/6) Singular; here used as address (सम्बोधन) in context
nija-dharma-vartinaḥO follower of your own duty
nija-dharma-vartinaḥ:
Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
TypeAdjective
Rootnija-dharma-vartin (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (सम्बोधन) Singular (एकवचन); ‘one abiding in one’s own dharma’
tathāpieven so
tathāpi:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
TypeIndeclinable
Roottathā api (अव्यय)
FormConcessive particle/adverb (निपात/अव्यय)
yāceI request
yāce:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootyāc (धातु)
FormPresent (लट्), 1st person (उत्तमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)
tavaof you/your
tava:
Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
TypeNoun
Roottvad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
FormGenitive (षष्ठी/6), Singular (एकवचन)
sauhṛda-icchayāout of desire for friendship
sauhṛda-icchayā:
Hetu (हेतु)
TypeNoun
Rootsauhṛda-icchā (प्रातिपदिक)
FormFeminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Singular (एकवचन); हेतौ—‘out of desire for friendship’
kanyāmthe maiden/daughter
kanyām:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootkanyā (प्रातिपदिक)
FormFeminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)
tvadīyāmyour
tvadīyām:
Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Roottvadīya (प्रातिपदिक)
FormFeminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); agrees with kanyām
nanot
na:
Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootna (अव्यय)
FormNegation particle (निषेध-निपात)
hiindeed
hi:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
TypeIndeclinable
Roothi (अव्यय)
FormEmphatic particle (निपात)
śulka-dāḥbride-price payers
śulka-dāḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootśulka-dā (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन); ‘givers of bride-price’
vayamwe
vayam:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootasmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
FormNominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन)
L
Lord Kṛṣṇa
N
Narendra (the King addressed)

FAQs

This verse states that learned sages condemn begging, especially for one of the royal order who should live by his own dharma; Kṛṣṇa notes this standard even while making a respectful request.

Kṛṣṇa explains He is doing so out of a desire for friendship and goodwill (sauhṛda), showing diplomatic humility while honoring dharma-based social expectations.

Even when asking for something legitimate, one should respect ethical norms, speak humbly, and prioritize relationships and goodwill over transactional motives.