Shloka 5

Tapas, Tīrtha, and Moral Rehabilitation (Śānti-parva 148)

Devanagari script

सो हं त्यक्ष्ये प्रियान्‌ प्राणान्‌ पुत्रान्‌ दारांस्तथैव च

Transliteration

so haṃ tyakṣye priyān prāṇān putrān dārāṃs tathaiva ca

Translation

ਇਸ ਲਈ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਪ੍ਰਾਣ ਵੀ ਤਿਆਗਾਂਗਾ, ਅਤੇ ਇਸੇ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਪੁੱਤਰਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਪਤਨੀ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ।

Word by Word

• सः: he
• सः: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: अस्मद्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• त्यक्ष्ये: I shall abandon/renounce
• Type: Verb
• Root: त्यज्
• Form: Simple Future (Luṭ), First, Singular, Ātmanepada

• प्रियान्: dear/beloved
• प्रियान्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रिय
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• प्राणान्: life-breaths; life
• प्राणान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्राण
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• पुत्रान्: sons
• पुत्रान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्र
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• दारान्: wife/wives; spouse(s)
• दारान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: दार
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• तथा: thus; likewise
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा

• एव: indeed; just; also
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव

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

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma
• sons (putrāḥ)
• wife/wives (dārāḥ)
• life-breath (prāṇa)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse teaches firm vairāgya (detachment): one should be prepared to relinquish even life and the closest familial bonds when dharma, truth, or a solemn vow demands unwavering commitment.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma, speaking within the Śānti Parva’s instruction-oriented setting, expresses a decisive resolve to give up what is most प्रिय (beloved)—life, sons, and spouse—highlighting the gravity of ethical duty over personal attachment.