Shloka 34

Dharma-vyādha’s Analysis of Moral Decline and the Mahābhūta–Guṇa Schema (धर्मव्याधोपदेशः)

Devanagari script

अध्वनि क्षीणगात्राश्न पांसुपादावगुण्ठिता: । तेषामेव श्रमार्तानां यो हान्न॑ं कथयेद्‌ बुध:

Transliteration

adhvani kṣīṇagātrāś ca pāṃsupādāvaguṇṭhitāḥ | teṣām eva śramārtānāṃ yo hānnam kathayed budhaḥ ||

Translation

வழியில் உடல் சோர்ந்து, கால்கள் தூசியால் மூடப்பட்டு, உழைப்பால் வாடும் அந்தப் பயணிகளுக்காக—அந்த நேரத்தில் உணவு பற்றிச் சொல்லி (கிடைக்கச் செய்து) துன்பம் தீர்ப்பவனே அறிவாளி.

Word by Word

अध्वनिon the road/journey

क्षीणगात्राःwith emaciated bodies

चand

पांसुपादावगुण्ठिताःwhose feet are covered with dust

तेषाम्of them

एवindeed/just

श्रमार्तानाम्of those distressed by fatigue

यःwho

अन्नम्food

कथयेत्should tell/offer (to give)

बुधःa wise man

Speaker

मार्कण्डेय उवाच

Characters & Entities

Mārkaṇḍeya

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 emphasizes practical compassion as dharma: when people are visibly exhausted from travel, the wise prioritize immediate relief—especially food—rather than mere words or delay.

What is happening in the narrative?

Mārkaṇḍeya describes travelers weakened on the road, dust-covered and distressed by fatigue, and instructs that a discerning person should address their need for food—highlighting the duty of care toward those in hardship.