Mahabharata — Virata Parva, Shloka 13

Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 22 — Draupadī’s Abduction Attempt and Bhīma’s Suppression of the Kīcakas

Devanagari script

अनुप्रवादाद्‌ भीतास्मि गन्धर्वाणां यशस्विनाम्‌ | एवं मे प्रतिजानीहि ततो5हं वशगा तव

Transliteration

anupravādād bhītāsmi gandharvāṇāṁ yaśasvinām | evaṁ me pratijānīhi tato 'haṁ vaśagā tava ||

Translation

“Tenho medo da censura e do escândalo que podem surgir a respeito dos ilustres Gandharvas. Portanto, faze-me esta promessa; então poderei colocar-me sob tua proteção e autoridade.”

Word by Word

• अनुप्रवादात्: from slander/evil report
• अनुप्रवादात्: Apadana
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनुप्रवाद
• Form: Masculine, Ablative, Singular

• भीता: afraid
• भीता: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भीत
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• अस्मि: I am
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस्
• Form: Present, 1st, Singular, Parasmaipada

• गन्धर्वाणाम्: of the Gandharvas
• गन्धर्वाणाम्: Sambandha
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्धर्व
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Plural

• यशस्विनाम्: renowned, glorious
• यशस्विनाम्: Sambandha
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यशस्विन्
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Plural

• एवम्: thus, in this manner
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम्

• मे: to me / for me
• मे: Sampradana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: अस्मद्
• Form: Dative/Genitive, Singular

• प्रतिजानीहि: promise, pledge
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रति-ज्ञा
• Form: Imperative, 2nd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• ततः: then, thereafter
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः

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

• वशगा: submissive, under control
• वशगा: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वशग
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• तव: of you, your
• तव: Sambandha
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: युष्मद्
• Form: Genitive, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Gandharvas

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights an ethical concern central to dharma: actions should consider not only immediate desire or power but also the consequences for reputation, social order, and the dignity of others. It frames consent and submission as contingent upon a clear promise of protection and proper conduct.

What is happening in the narrative?

A woman expresses fear of public reproach connected with the famed Gandharvas and sets a condition: if the other party gives a firm assurance (a promise), only then will she agree to be under his authority/protection. The line underscores negotiation, caution, and the demand for a binding commitment.