Shloka 16

Nārada’s Darśana of Viśvarūpa Nārāyaṇa and the Caturmūrti Doctrine (नारदस्य नारायणदर्शनं चतुर्मूर्तिविचारश्च)

Devanagari script

वेदानधीत्य दक्षिणामपवर्ज्य च । अभ्यनुज्ञामथ प्राप्य समावर्तेत वै द्विज:

Transliteration

vedān adhītya dakṣiṇām apavarjya ca | abhyanujñām atha prāpya samāvarteta vai dvijaḥ ||

Translation

ஜனகர் கூறினார்—வேதங்களைப் பயின்று, குருவிற்கு தட்சிணை செலுத்தி, பின்னர் ஆசாரியரின் அனுமதி பெற்ற பின், இருபிறப்புடையவன் முறையாக சமாவர்த்தனம் (ஸ்நாதகச் சடங்கு) செய்து மாணவநிலையிலிருந்து திரும்ப வேண்டும்.

Word by Word

वेदान्the Vedas

अधीत्यhaving studied

दक्षिणाम्the teacher’s fee / honorarium

अपवर्ज्यhaving offered/presented (as a gift)

चand

अभ्यनुज्ञाम्permission/leave (from the teacher)

अथthen

प्राप्यhaving obtained

समावर्तेतshould return (home) / should perform the graduation-return

वैindeed

द्विजःthe twice-born (brahmin etc.)

Speaker

जनक उवाच

Characters & Entities

Janaka

Vedas

dakṣiṇā

dvija

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse lays down a dharmic sequence for a Vedic student: complete study, honor the teacher through dakṣiṇā, seek the teacher’s consent, and only then conclude studentship through samāvartana—emphasizing gratitude, discipline, and proper closure of obligations.

What is happening in the narrative?

Janaka is describing the proper conduct of a dvija who has finished Vedic education, outlining the formal steps required before returning to household life or the next stage of life.