Shloka 22

धर्मद्वारबहुत्वविमर्शः — Reflection on the Many ‘Doors’ of Dharma (Śānti-parva 342)

Devanagari script

नारायणात्मको ज्ञेय: पाण्डवेय युगे युगे । तस्मिन्‌ हि पूज्यमाने वै देवदेवे महेश्वरे

Transliteration

nārāyaṇātmako jñeyaḥ pāṇḍaveya yuge yuge | tasmin hi pūjyamāne vai devadeve maheśvare

Translation

Арджуна сказал: «О потомок Панду, знай: он во все эпохи по самой своей природе есть Нараяна. Ибо когда Махешвара, Владыка владык, почитаем должным образом, через него воздаётся честь высшему божественному началу.»

Word by Word

नारायणात्मकःhaving the nature of Nārāyaṇa

ज्ञेयःto be known; knowable

पाण्डवेयO descendant of Pāṇḍu

युगेin an age (yuga)

युगेin (each) age

तस्मिन्in him/therein

हिindeed; for

पूज्यमानेwhen (he) is being worshipped

वैindeed; surely

देवदेवेin the God of gods

महेश्वरेin Maheśvara (the great Lord)

Speaker

अर्जुन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Arjuna

Pāṇḍava (descendant of Pāṇḍu)

Nārāyaṇa

Maheśvara (Śiva)

Devadeva (epithet of Śiva)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse teaches a theological unity: Maheśvara, when rightly understood, is to be known as sharing the very essence of Nārāyaṇa across all ages. Thus worship offered to the supreme Lord (here named Maheśvara/Devadeva) is not sectarian rivalry but recognition of the one highest divinity manifest in different names and forms.

What is happening in the narrative?

Arjuna is speaking to a Pāṇḍava addressee, affirming the status of Maheśvara (Śiva) as ‘Nārāyaṇa-natured’ and emphasizing the significance of worship directed to Devadeva Maheśvara. The statement functions as doctrinal clarification within the Śānti Parva’s broader ethical-religious instruction.