Mahabharata 9.50.34 — Shalya Parva, Adhyaya 50, Shloka 34

Sārasvata–Dadhīca Upākhyāna at Sarasvatī Tīrtha

Balarāma’s Pilgrimage Context

Devanagari script

वाजपेयं क्रतुवरं तथा बहुसुवर्णकम्‌

Transliteration

vājapeyaṃ kratuvaraṃ tathā bahusuvarṇakam

Translation

Vaiśampāyana berkata: “(Baginda telah melaksanakan) Vājapeya—korban suci yang unggul—dan juga (upacara-upacara lain) yang disertai anugerah emas yang melimpah.”

Word by Word

• वाजपेयं: Vājapeya sacrifice
• वाजपेयं: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाजपेय
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• क्रतुवरं: the best (excellent) sacrifice
• क्रतुवरं: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रतुवर
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• तथा: and also; likewise
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा

• बहुसुवर्णकम्: having much gold; rich in gold
• बहुसुवर्णकम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहुसुवर्णक
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Vājapeya (sacrifice)
• kratu (Vedic sacrifice)
• suvarṇa (gold)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights dharmic kingship expressed through Vedic rites and generous giving—especially the offering of substantial dakṣiṇā (fees/gifts), symbolized here by abundant gold.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana is describing a figure’s performance of eminent sacrifices, specifically the Vājapeya, and notes that these rites were accompanied by lavish gold donations, underscoring prestige and piety.