Shloka 23

Duryodhana’s Envy at Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rājasūya and the Avabhṛtha Festival

Devanagari script

बन्धूञ्ज्ञातीन् नृपान् मित्रसुहृदोऽन्यांश्च सर्वश: । अभीक्ष्णं पूजयामास नारायणपरो नृप: ॥ २३ ॥

Transliteration

bandhūñ jñātīn nṛpān mitra- suhṛdo ’nyāṁś ca sarvaśaḥ abhīkṣnaṁ pūjayām āsa nārāyaṇa-paro nṛpaḥ

Translation

O rei Yudhiṣṭhira, totalmente dedicado ao Senhor Nārāyaṇa, honrava continuamente, de muitas maneiras, seus parentes, familiares próximos, os demais reis, seus amigos e benfeitores, e todos os presentes.

Synonyms

• bandhūn: kinsmen
• bandhūn: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बन्धु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• jñātīn: relatives
• jñātīn: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञाति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• nṛpān: kings
• nṛpān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• mitra-suhṛdaḥ: friends and well-wishers
• mitra-suhṛdaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मित्र (प्रातिपदिक) + सुहृद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; द्वन्द्व (friends and well-wishers)

• anyān: others
• anyān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; विशेषण (of implied ‘people’)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चय (conjunction)

• sarvaśaḥ: in every way
• sarvaśaḥ: Prakāra (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वशः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, प्रकारवाचक (in every way/entirely)

• abhīkṣṇam: again and again
• abhīkṣṇam: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अभीक्ष्णम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, आवृत्तिवाचक (repeatedly/frequently)

• pūjayāmāsa: he honoured
• pūjayāmāsa: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पूज् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (periphrastic perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; ‘आमास’ सह (he honoured)

• nārāyaṇa-paraḥ: devoted to Nārāyaṇa
• nārāyaṇa-paraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नारायण (प्रातिपदिक) + पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (नारायण-पर: ‘devoted to Nārāyaṇa’)

• nṛpaḥ: the king
• nṛpaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja
• Nārāyaṇa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about honoring guests and elders?

This verse shows that a Nārāyaṇa-devotee like King Yudhiṣṭhira repeatedly honors relatives, kings, friends, and all others in every way—presenting respect as an essential expression of dharma and devotion.

Why did Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja honor all the kings and relatives during the Rājasūya sacrifice?

In the Rājasūya setting, Yudhiṣṭhira’s devotion to Nārāyaṇa naturally manifested as exemplary royal etiquette—welcoming and honoring everyone present, including rival kings, friends, and family.

Practical application of devotion (bhakti) from this shloka in modern life?

Let devotion translate into behavior: consistently respect family, friends, and even opponents; practice hospitality, gratitude, and dignified speech—making spiritual values visible through daily conduct.