Mahabharata 7.84.9 — Drona Parva, Adhyaya 84, Shloka 9

अलम्बुस-वधः

The Neutralization of Alambusa

Devanagari script

भद्रासने सूपविष्ट: परिधायाम्बरं लघु । सस्नौ चन्दनसंयुक्तै: पानीयैरभिमन्त्रितै:,उस समय एक हलका वस्त्र पहनकर राजा युधिष्छिर भद्रासन (चौकी)-पर बैठ गये और चन्दनयुक्त मन्त्रपूत जलसे स्नान करने लगे

Transliteration

bhadrāsane sūpaviṣṭaḥ paridhāyāmbaraṃ laghu | sasnau candanasaṃyuktaiḥ pānīyair abhimantritaiḥ ||

Translation

Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Nakaupo nang panatag sa bhadrāsana at nakasuot ng magaan na kasuotan, sinimulan ni Haring Yudhiṣṭhira ang pagligo gamit ang tubig na pinabanal sa pamamagitan ng mga mantra at hinaluan ng sandalwood—isang ritwal ng paglilinis na isinagawa nang may pagpipigil at paggalang.

Word by Word

• भद्रासने: on the auspicious seat (bhadrāsana)
• भद्रासने: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: भद्रासन
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• सूपविष्टः: well-seated
• सूपविष्टः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उपविष्ट
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• परिधाय: having put on / having worn
• Type: Verb
• Root: परि-धा
• Form: Absolutive (Gerund)

• अम्बरम्: a garment/cloth
• अम्बरम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: अम्बर
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• लघु: light (in weight/thin)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लघु
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• सस्नौ: bathed
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्ना
• Form: Perfect, 3, Singular

• चन्दनसंयुक्तैः: mixed with sandal (paste)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चन्दनसंयुक्त
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Plural

• पानीयैः: with waters
• पानीयैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: पानीय
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Plural

• अभिमन्त्रितैः: consecrated/enchanted (by mantras)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभि-मन्त्रित
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Plural

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Yudhiṣṭhira
• bhadrāsana
• light garment (ambara)
• mantra-consecrated water (abhimantrita pānīya)
• sandalwood (candana)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Even in a violent and morally complex setting, a dharmic ruler maintains inner discipline through śauca (purity) and reverent ritual action; the verse highlights restraint, auspicious preparation, and ethical steadiness rather than indulgence.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya describes Yudhiṣṭhira sitting on an auspicious seat, wearing a light cloth, and beginning a ceremonial bath using sandalwood-scented water that has been sanctified by mantras—indicating preparation for a solemn act or rite.