Shloka 16

कामधेनुसैन्यप्रादुर्भावः

Kamadhenu’s Forces, Visvamitra’s Austerities, and Vasishta’s Wrath

Devanagari script

यदि तुष्टो महादेव धनुर्वेदो ममानघ।साङ्गोपाङ्गोपनिषदस्सरहस्य: प्रदीयताम्।।1.55.16।।

Transliteration

yadi tuṣṭo mahādeva dhanurvedo mamānagha | sāṅgopāṅgopaniṣadas sarahasyaḥ pradīyatām || 1.55.16 ||

Translation

ਹੇ ਮਹਾਦੇਵ, ਹੇ ਨਿਰਦੋਸ਼ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ, ਜੇ ਤੂੰ ਪ੍ਰਸੰਨ ਹੈਂ ਤਾਂ ਧਨੁਰਵੇਦ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼—ਉਸ ਦੇ ਅੰਗ-ਉਪਾਂਗਾਂ ਸਮੇਤ, ਉਪਨਿਸ਼ਦ-ਸਰੂਪ ਉਪਦੇਸ਼ਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਅੰਦਰੂਨੀ ਰਹੱਸਾਂ ਸਮੇਤ।

Word by Word

• यदि: if
• यदि: सम्बन्ध (Condition marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यदि (अव्यय)
• Form: शर्तार्थक-अव्यय (conditional particle)

• तुष्टः: pleased
• तुष्टः: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तुष्ट (कृदन्त, √तुष्)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'महादेव' इति सम्बोधनस्य विशेषणभावः

• महादेव: O Mahādeva
• महादेव: सम्बोधन (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महादेव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय: महान् देवः; पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन

• धनुर्वेदः: Dhanurveda (science of archery)
• धनुर्वेदः: कर्ता (Karta; subject of passive imperative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धनुस् (प्रातिपदिक) + वेद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः (षष्ठी: धनुषः वेदः); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• मम: to me / my
• मम: सम्प्रदान (Recipient; genitive for 'to me')
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; षष्ठी-एकवचन (Genitive)

• अनघ: O blameless one
• अनघ: सम्बोधन (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनघ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन; विशेषणरूपेण सम्बोधनम्

• साङ्गोपाङ्गोपनिषदः: with its auxiliaries, sub-branches, and upaniṣads
• साङ्गोपाङ्गोपनिषदः: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स-अङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + उप-अङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + उपनिषद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास-समूहः (तत्पुरुष-प्रायः): अङ्गैः उपाङ्गैः उपनिषद्भिः सह; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'धनुर्वेदः' इति विशेषणम्

• सरहस्यः: together with its secrets
• सरहस्यः: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स-रहस्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष/अव्ययीभाव-प्रायः: रहस्येन सह; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'धनुर्वेदः' इति विशेषणम्

• प्रदीयताम्: let it be given
• प्रदीयताम्: क्रिया (Verb/Command)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र+दा (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोगः (passive imperative)

Context

O Irreproachable one! O Mahadeva! if you are pleased with me, make me an expert in Dhanurveda, the science of archery with all it secrets, angas (branches), upangas (sub-divisions) and Upanishads.

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Mahādeva (Śiva)
• Dhanurveda

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

The verse frames power as knowledge with responsibility: true mastery of weapons is not merely technique but includes disciplined understanding—‘secrets’ and teachings that imply ethical restraint.

What is the narrative situation?

Viśvāmitra formally requests comprehensive instruction in Dhanurveda from Śiva as a boon.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Aspiration for complete mastery through legitimate means (seeking instruction/blessing rather than taking by force).