Shloka 9

Gautama–Śakra Saṃvāda: Karma, Loka-bheda, and the Restoration of the Elephant

Devanagari script

इध्मोदकप्रदातारं शून्यपालं ममाश्रमे । विनीतमाचार्यकुले सुयुक्त गुरुकर्मणि

Transliteration

idhmodaka-pradātāraṁ śūnya-pālaṁ mamāśrame | vinītam ācārya-kule suyuktaṁ guru-karmaṇi |

Translation

इध्मोदकप्रदातारं शून्यपालं ममाश्रमे। विनीतमाचार्यकुले सुयुक्तं गुरुकर्मणि॥

Word by Word

• इध्मोदकप्रदातारम्: the giver of firewood and water
• इध्मोदकप्रदातारम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: इध्म-उदक-प्रदाता (प्रदातृ)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• शून्यपालम्: the guardian of the (ashram) when empty
• शून्यपालम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: शून्यपाल
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• मम: of me / my
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: अस्मद्
• Form: Genitive, Singular

• आश्रमे: in (my) hermitage
• आश्रमे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: आश्रम
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• विनीतम्: well-disciplined, trained
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विनीत (वि-नी + क्त)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• आचार्यकुले: in the teacher's household
• आचार्यकुले: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: आचार्यकुल
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• सुयुक्तम्: well-engaged, properly employed
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुयुक्त (सु-युज् + क्त)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• गुरुकर्मणि: in the duties/service of the teacher
• गुरुकर्मणि: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरुकर्मन्
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma (Bhīṣma)
• the King (Rājan, addressed)
• āśrama (hermitage)
• ācārya-kula (teacher’s household/gurukula)
• idhma (firewood)
• udaka (water)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the ethical value of humble service and disciplined training: one who faithfully performs simple duties (bringing firewood and water), protects what is entrusted to him, and remains properly engaged in guru-service is praised as well-trained and worthy.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhishma is describing a devoted attendant/guardian in his hermitage—someone who supplies necessities, guards the ashram when it is empty, and has been trained in the teacher’s household—emphasizing the person’s suitability and disciplined conduct.