Shloka 5

Gautama–Yama Saṃvāda: Mātṛ-Pitṛ-Ṛṇa (Debt to Parents) and Śubha-Loka Attainment

Devanagari script

केन भद्र सुखार्थेन सम्प्राप्तोडसि तपोवनम्‌ । पदातिर्बद्धनिस्त्रिंशो धन्‍वी बाणी नरेश्वर,“कल्याणस्वरूप नरेश्वर! किस सुखके लिये आप इस तपोवनमें तलवार बाँधे धनुष और बाण लिये पैदल ही चले आये हैं?

Transliteration

kena bhadra-sukhārthena samprāpto ’si tapovanam | padātir baddha-nistriṁśo dhanvī bāṇī nareśvara ||

Translation

«Ôi bậc quân vương cát tường! Vì hạnh phúc hay mục đích tốt lành nào mà Người đến khu rừng khổ hạnh này—đi bộ, đeo gươm, mang cung và tên?»

Word by Word

• केन: by what? / with what?
• केन: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• भद्र: O noble one / O good sir
• भद्र: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: भद्र
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular

• सुखार्थेन: for the sake of happiness
• सुखार्थेन: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुखार्थ
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• सम्प्राप्तः: having arrived / come
• सम्प्राप्तः: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-प्र-आप् (सम्प्राप्)
• Form: Past (perfective participle), Singular, Masculine, Nominative

• असि: you are
• असि: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: Present, Second, Singular

• तपोवनम्: to the penance-grove / hermitage-forest
• तपोवनम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपोवन
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• पदातिः: a foot-soldier / on foot
• पदातिः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: पदाति
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• बद्ध: bound / fastened
• बद्ध: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: बन्ध्
• Form: Past (PPP), Singular, Masculine, Nominative

• निस्त्रिंशः: sword
• निस्त्रिंशः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: निस्त्रिंश
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• धन्वी: bowman / one with a bow
• धन्वी: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: धन्विन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• बाणी: one with arrows / arrow-bearing
• बाणी: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाणिन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• नरेश्वर: O lord of men (king)
• नरेश्वर: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: नरेश्वर
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma
• nareśvara (a king, unnamed here)
• tapovana (forest of austerities)
• nistriṁśa (sword)
• dhanus (bow)
• bāṇa (arrows)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse frames an ethical inquiry: a king enters a hermitage-forest armed, and Bhishma asks what ‘good’ or ‘welfare’ he seeks. It highlights that power and weapons should be guided by a clear, righteous purpose—especially in spaces dedicated to austerity and restraint.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhishma addresses a king who has arrived at a forest hermitage on foot, carrying sword, bow, and arrows. Bhishma questions the motive for this armed arrival, setting up a discussion about intention, conduct, and dharma in relation to ascetic spaces.