Mahabharata — Ashramavasika Parva, Shloka 26

अश्रमवासिनां विषादः — Lament in Hastināpura after the Elders’ Forest Withdrawal

Devanagari script

किं तु तस्य सुदुर्बुद्धेर्मन्दस्यापनयैर्भूशम्‌

Transliteration

kiṃ tu tasya sudurbuddher mandasyāpanayair bhūśam

Translation

Ngunit ang taong iyon—mapurol ang isip at lubhang baluktot ang pag-unawa—ay labis na pinahirapan ng sunud-sunod na kabiguan at kahihiyan; sa halip na maituwid, lalo pang nalugmok ang kanyang diwa sa pagkalito.

Word by Word

• किम्: but/indeed (in the sense of 'however' with तु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: किम्

• तु: but, however
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु

• तस्य: of him/that
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: masculine/neuter, genitive, singular

• सुदुर्बुद्धेः: of the very evil-minded one
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुदुर्बुद्धि
• Form: feminine, genitive, singular

• मन्दस्य: of the dull/slow one
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मन्द
• Form: masculine/neuter, genitive, singular

• अपनयैः: by removals/expulsions; by means of driving away
• अपनयैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: अपनय
• Form: masculine, instrumental, plural

• भूशम्: greatly, exceedingly
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: भूशम्

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

A corrupted or dull intellect does not easily learn from correction; repeated reversals can intensify confusion and suffering when one lacks discernment (buddhi) and receptivity to right counsel.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana comments on a person characterized as misguided and dull-minded, noting that he is strongly affected—indeed overwhelmed—by repeated setbacks or humiliations, highlighting the psychological and ethical fallout of poor judgment.