Shloka 5

Adhyāya 69: Strategic duels under Bhīṣma’s command

Virāṭa–Bhīṣma; Arjuna–Aśvatthāmā; Bhīma–Duryodhana; Abhimanyu–Lakṣmaṇa

Devanagari script

एवमुक्तस्तु भगवान्‌ प्रत्युवाच पितामह: । देवब्रह्यार्षिगन्धर्वान्‌ सर्वान्‌ मधुरया गिरा,उनके इस प्रकार पूछनेपर भगवान्‌ ब्रह्माने उन समस्त देवताओं, ब्रह्मर्षियों और गन्धर्वोंसे मधुर वाणीमें कहा--

Transliteration

evam uktas tu bhagavān pratyuvāca pitāmahaḥ | deva-brahmarṣi-gandharvān sarvān madhurayā girā ||

Translation

Được hỏi như vậy, đấng Pitāmaha Phạm Thiên Brahmā liền đáp lời. Ngài dùng giọng nói dịu dàng, ngọt lành mà thưa với toàn thể chư thiên, các Brahmarṣi và các Gandharva.

Word by Word

एवम्thus

उक्तःhaving been addressed / spoken to

तुbut/indeed

भगवान्the Blessed Lord

प्रत्युवाचreplied

पितामहःthe Grandsire (Brahmā)

देवgods

ब्रह्मbrahmarṣis (Brahman-sages)

ऋषिsages

गन्धर्वान्Gandharvas

सर्वान्all

मधुरयाwith sweet

गिराspeech/voice

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

Bhīṣma

Brahmā (Pitāmaha)

Devas

Brahmarṣis

Gandharvas

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the ethical power of speech: even when responding to a query or tension, a wise authority answers with madhurā girā—gentle, measured words—supporting dharma through restraint and clarity rather than aggression.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma narrates that Brahmā, addressed by an assembly of gods, great sages, and Gandharvas, responds to them. The verse functions as a transition into Brahmā’s forthcoming instruction or decision.