Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 77

Duryodhana’s Post-Duel Lament and Instructions (भग्नसक्थस्य विलापः)

Devanagari script

वासुदेवो5पि धर्मात्मा कृतकृत्यो जगाम ह

Transliteration

vāsudevo 'pi dharmātmā kṛtakṛtyo jagāma ha

Translation

ଧର୍ମାତ୍ମା ବାସୁଦେବ ମଧ୍ୟ ନିଜ କର୍ତ୍ତବ୍ୟ ସମାପ୍ତ କରି ସେଠାରୁ ପ୍ରସ୍ଥାନ କଲେ।

Word by Word

• वासुदेवः: Vasudeva (Krishna)
• वासुदेवः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: वासुदेव
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• अपि: also/even
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि

• धर्मात्मा: righteous-souled one
• धर्मात्मा: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्मात्मन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• कृतकृत्यः: one who has accomplished his task (fulfilled)
• कृतकृत्यः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृतकृत्य
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• जगाम: went
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम्
• Form: Perfect (Liṭ), Third, Singular

• ह: indeed/for emphasis
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ह

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa)
• Vaiśaṃpāyana

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the ethical ideal of kṛtakṛtyatā—acting in accordance with dharma until one’s rightful responsibility is fulfilled, and then withdrawing without attachment once the necessary work is complete.

What is happening in the narrative?

The narrator states that Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa), characterized as dharmātmā, departs after completing his role in the events being recounted, marking a transition in the story after decisive actions have been carried out.