Shloka 8
अलर्कोपाख्यानम् — Indriya-Nigraha and Yogic Victory
Mahābhārata 14.30
Devanagari script
तच्छुत्वा स विचिन्त्याथ ततो वचनमत्रवीत्,यह सुनकर अलर्कने थोड़ी देरतक विचार किया, इसके बाद वे (नासिकाको लक्ष्य करके) बोले
Transliteration
tac chrutvā sa vicintyātha tato vacanam abravīt
Translation
听罢那些话，他沉思良久；继而审度其事，方才开口作答——言辞克制，心怀义理，谨守当行之道。
Word by Word
तत्that (thing/statement)
तत्:
Karma
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
श्रुत्वाhaving heard
श्रुत्वा:
Adhikarana
TypeVerb
Rootश्रु
FormAbsolutive (क्त्वा), Parasmaipada (usage), Non-finite
सःhe
सः:
Karta
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
विचिन्त्यhaving reflected/considered
विचिन्त्य:
Adhikarana
TypeVerb
Rootचिन्त्
FormAbsolutive (ल्यप्), वि-, Non-finite
अथthen/thereupon
अथ:
Adhikarana
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअथ
ततःthereafter/from that (time)
ततः:
Adhikarana
TypeIndeclinable
Rootततः
वचनम्speech/words
वचनम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootवचन
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
अब्रवीत्said/spoke
अब्रवीत्:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootब्रू
FormImperfect (लङ्), Third, Singular, Parasmaipada
Speaker
मन उवाच
Characters & Entities
M
Man (as speaker)Character Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Meter (Chandas)
Sandhi Notes
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical deliberation: one should listen carefully, reflect, and only then speak—suggesting that right speech is grounded in thoughtful consideration rather than impulse.
After hearing what has been said, the character pauses to think and then responds. The moment marks a transition from receiving counsel or information to giving a considered reply.