Shloka 42

Vyāsa’s Inquiry into Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Tapas and the Identification of Vidura with Dharma

Devanagari script

एवं संस्तम्भितं वाक्यै: कुन्त्या बहुविधैर्मन:

Transliteration

evaṁ saṁstambhitaṁ vākyaiḥ kuntyā bahuvidhair manaḥ

Translation

毗舍波耶那说：就这样，昆蒂以种种言辞加以劝慰，使那颗心被扶持而坚定——止住摇摆，令其在悲痛与义务的重压之前也复归沉静。

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम्
• Form: Avyaya (indeclinable)

• संस्तम्भितम्: restrained/steadied
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सं-स्तम्भ्
• Form: Neuter, nominative, singular (past passive participle used adjectivally)

• वाक्यैः: by words/speeches
• वाक्यैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य
• Form: Neuter, instrumental, plural

• कुन्त्या: by Kunti
• कुन्त्या: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुन्ती
• Form: Feminine, instrumental, singular

• बहुविधैः: of many kinds/various
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहुविध
• Form: Neuter, instrumental, plural

• मनः: mind
• मनः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस्
• Form: Neuter, nominative, singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Kuntī

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Wise, dharma-grounded speech can stabilize a distressed mind. The verse highlights the ethical power of counsel: words shaped by experience and duty can restrain grief, restore clarity, and enable right action even amid suffering.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Ashramavāsika context, Kuntī speaks at length in various ways to console and instruct. Her words calm and steady the listener’s mind, preventing it from being overwhelmed by sorrow and confusion in the aftermath of the great war.