Shloka 25

Puṣkara-Tīrtha-Māhātmya and the Phala of Pilgrimage

Nārada–Yudhiṣṭhira; Pulastya–Bhīṣma Transmission

Devanagari script

राज्ञे तित्तिरिकल्माषाउछीमतोडनिलरंहस: । प्रादाद्‌ भ्रात्रे प्रिय: प्रेमणा राजसूये महाक्रतौ,जिन्होंने महायज्ञ राजसूयमें अपने प्यारे भाई धर्मराज युधिष्ठिरको प्रेमपूर्वक वायुके समान वेगशाली तित्तिरिकल्माष नामक सुन्दर घोड़े भेंट किये थे

Transliteration

rājñe tittiri-kalmāṣa uccaiḥ-mato 'nila-raṃhasaḥ | prādād bhrātre priyaḥ premṇā rājasūye mahākratau ||

Translation

Накула сказал: «Для царя был прекрасный конь по имени Титтири-калмāша, высоко ценимый и быстрый, как ветер. Из любви и привязанности он преподнёс его своему дорогому брату, царю Юдхиштхире, на великом царском жертвоприношении — Раджасуе».

Word by Word

राज्ञेto the king

तित्तिरि-कल्माषान्tittiri-kalmaṣa (speckled/variegated) [horses]

उच्छीमतोof the splendid/beautiful one

अनिल-रंहसःof (one) having the speed of the wind

प्रादात्gave

भ्रात्रेto (his) brother

प्रियःthe dear one / beloved (person)

प्रेमणाwith affection

राजसूयेin the Rājasūya (sacrifice)

महाक्रतौin the great rite/sacrifice

Speaker

नकुल उवाच

Characters & Entities

Nakula

Yudhiṣṭhira (Dharmarāja)

Rājasūya sacrifice

Horse: Tittiri-kalmāṣa

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores dharmic generosity and fraternal duty: offering valuable resources with sincere affection to support righteous leadership and a public, sacred undertaking like the Rājasūya.

What is happening in the narrative?

Nakula recalls (or cites) the gifting of a prized, wind-swift horse named Tittiri-kalmāṣa to his beloved brother Yudhiṣṭhira during the great Rājasūya sacrifice, emphasizing the honor and devotion surrounding that royal rite.