Shloka 54

युधिष्ठिरस्य अर्जुनप्रेषण-युक्तिवर्णनम् | Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rationale for Sending Arjuna and Request to Dhaumya

Devanagari script

षष्ठकालोपवासेन मासमुष्य महालये

Transliteration

ṣaṣṭha-kālopavāsena māsam uṣya mahālaye

Translation

Wika ni Ghūlastya: “Sa pagtalima sa pag-aayuno sa bawat ikaanim na oras ng pagkain, nanahan ako nang isang buong buwan sa dakilang tahanan (banal na pook), na pinanghahawakan ang sarili sa pamamagitan ng pagkamapagtiis at disiplina.”

Word by Word

• षष्ठकालोपवासेन: by the fast observed at the sixth time (i.e., on every sixth meal/time)
• षष्ठकालोपवासेन: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: षष्ठकालोपवास
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• मासम्: a month
• मासम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: मास
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• उष्य: having dwelt (having stayed)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वस्
• Form: ल्यप् (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage)

• महालये: in the great abode (in a great sanctuary/place)
• महालये: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: महालय
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

Speaker

घुलस्त्य उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Ghūlastya (speaker)
• mahālaya (great abode/temple)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights tapas (austerity) as a dharmic discipline: regulated fasting and controlled living in a sacred place are presented as means of cultivating restraint, endurance, and moral seriousness.

What is happening in the narrative?

The speaker, Ghūlastya, describes a specific vow-like practice—fasting according to a sixth-time/mealtime cycle—and states that he maintained this regimen for a month while residing in a ‘great abode,’ implying a sacred or revered setting.