Shloka 9

Śiśupāla-nigraha-prastāva: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Conciliation and Bhīṣma’s Defense of Kṛṣṇa

Book 2, Chapter 35

Devanagari script

क्षत्ता व्ययकरस्त्वासीद्‌ विदुर: सर्वधर्मवित्‌ । दुर्योधनस्त्वर्हणानि प्रतिजग्राह सर्वश:

Transliteration

kṣattā vyayakaras tv āsīd viduraḥ sarvadharmavit | duryodhanas tv arhaṇāni pratijagrāha sarvaśaḥ ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana nói: Vidura, vị kṣattā am tường mọi dharma, được cử quản lý việc chi tiêu. Còn Duryodhana thì tiếp nhận mọi lễ kính và cống vật do các vua chư hầu dâng nộp, đảm trách việc thu nhận và sắp đặt cho đúng phép—đặt Vidura vào việc trị lý theo chính đạo, còn bản thân mình coi việc thu gom lễ vật vương quyền.

Word by Word

• क्षत्ता: the chamberlain/attendant (Kṣattā)
• क्षत्ता: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षत्तृ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• व्ययकरः: the one who makes expenditures (treasurer/disburser)
• व्ययकरः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्ययकर
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• तु: but/indeed
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु

• आसीत्: was
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस्
• Form: Imperfect, 3rd, Singular

• विदुरः: Vidura
• विदुरः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: विदुर
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• सर्वधर्मवित्: knower of all dharmas
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्वधर्मविद्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• दुर्योधनः: Duryodhana
• दुर्योधनः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुर्योधन
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• तु: and/but
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु

• अर्हणानि: honours/tributes/presents
• अर्हणानि: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्हण
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Plural

• प्रतिजग्राह: accepted/received
• Type: Verb
• Root: ग्रह्
• Form: Perfect, 3rd, Singular

• सर्वशः: in every way; entirely
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वशस्

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Vidura
• Duryodhana
• tribute-paying kings (rājānaḥ)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse contrasts roles and values in governance: Vidura, grounded in dharma, is entrusted with responsible expenditure and orderly administration, while Duryodhana focuses on receiving honors and tribute—hinting at the ethical difference between principled stewardship and prestige-driven accumulation.

What is happening in the narrative?

During the arrangements connected with royal proceedings, Vidura is appointed to oversee spending and management, and Duryodhana takes charge of receiving and organizing the gifts and honors brought by kings who pay tribute.