Shloka 24

Vyāghra–Gomāyu Saṃvāda (व्याघ्रगोमायु संवाद) — Testing Character Beneath Appearances

Devanagari script

अनतीतोपधानू प्राज्ञान्‌ हिते युक्तान्‌ मनस्विन: । पूजयेथा महाभाग यथा<<चार्यान्‌ यथा पितृन्‌

Transliteration

anātītopadhānū prājñān hite yuktān manasvinaḥ | pūjayethā mahābhāga yathācāryān yathā pitṝn |

Translation

Шартула сказал: «О счастливый, почитай как учителей и как отцов тех мудрых и возвышенных духом мужей, что свободны от лукавых уловок, преданы твоему благу и тверды в намерении. Сделай их помощниками или министрами и воздавай им то же почтение, что старшим и наставникам, дабы твое правление направлялось верным советом и нравственной мудростью, согласной с дхармой».

Word by Word

• अनतीतोपधानू: not having passed beyond (i.e., not neglecting) precautions/attentions
• अनतीतोपधानू: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनतीत-उपधान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• प्राज्ञान्: wise, intelligent
• प्राज्ञान्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्राज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• हिते: in (your) welfare/benefit
• हिते: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: हित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• युक्तान्: engaged, devoted, connected
• युक्तान्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युक्त (युज् धातु, क्त-प्रत्यय; कृदन्त)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• मनस्विनः: high-minded, resolute
• मनस्विनः: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मनस्विन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• पूजयेथाः: you should honor/worship
• पूजयेथाः: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: पूज् (धातु)
• Form: Optative (Vidhi-lin), Second, Singular, Parasmaipada

• महाभाग: O fortunate one / O noble one
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाभाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular

• यथा: as, just as
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)

• आचार्यान्: teachers, preceptors
• आचार्यान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: आचार्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• यथा: as, just as
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)

• पितॄन्: fathers/forefathers
• पितॄन्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

Speaker

शार्टूल उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Śārṭūla
• ācārya (teachers/preceptors)
• pitṛ (fathers/elders)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

A ruler should choose wise, loyal, and principled advisers—especially those not given to deceit—and honor them like one honors teachers and fathers, because ethical counsel is foundational to righteous governance (rājadharma).

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on governance and conduct, Śārṭūla addresses a noble listener, advising him on how to appoint and treat assistants/ministers: select the wise devoted to the ruler’s welfare and show them reverence akin to elders and preceptors.