Shloka 19

कुन्ती-विलापः तथा गोविन्द-आश्वासनम्

Kuntī’s Lament and Govinda’s Consolation

Devanagari script

अथ गां मधुपर्क चाप्युदकं च जनार्दने । उपजहूर्यथान्यायं धृतराष्ट्रपुरोहिता:,तदनन्तर धृतराष्ट्रके पुरोहितलोग भगवान्‌ जनार्दनके आतिथ्यसत्कारके लिये उत्तम गौ, मधुपर्क तथा जल ले आये

Transliteration

atha gāṃ madhuparkaṃ cāpy udakaṃ ca janārdane | upajahur yathānyāyaṃ dhṛtarāṣṭrapurohitāḥ ||

Translation

Bấy giờ, các tư tế trong hoàng cung của Dhṛtarāṣṭra, theo đúng phép tắc tiếp đãi khách, đã mang đến cho Janārdana một con bò tốt, lễ vật madhuparka và nước.

Word by Word

• अथ: then
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ

• गाम्: a cow
• गाम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• मधुपर्कम्: madhuparka (honey-mixture offered to a guest)
• मधुपर्कम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: मधुपर्क
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• अपि: also
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि

• उदकम्: water
• उदकम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: उदक
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• जनार्दने: in/for Janardana (Krishna)
• जनार्दने: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: जनार्दन
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• उपजहुः: they offered / presented
• उपजहुः: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-ह्वा
• Form: Perfect (Liṭ), Third, Plural, Parasmaipada

• यथा: as / according to
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा

• अन्यायम्: improperly / contrary to rule
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्याय
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• धृतराष्ट्रपुरोहिताः: Dhritarashtra's priests
• धृतराष्ट्रपुरोहिताः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: धृतराष्ट्रपुरोहित
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• वैशम्पायन (Vaiśampāyana)
• जनार्दन (Janārdana/Kṛṣṇa)
• धृतराष्ट्र (Dhṛtarāṣṭra)
• धृतराष्ट्रपुरोहिताः (Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s priests)
• गौ (cow)
• मधुपर्क (madhuparka offering)
• उदक (water)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights atithi-dharma: honoring a guest—especially an eminent envoy—through prescribed courtesies (water, madhuparka, and ceremonial gifts). Even in conflict-laden contexts, ethical order is maintained by observing proper hospitality.

What is happening in the narrative?

As Kṛṣṇa (Janārdana) arrives in Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s setting during the Udyoga Parva’s diplomatic phase, Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s priests formally receive him, bringing the customary offerings of welcome according to established ritual norms.