Shloka 1

Marutta Seeks Saṃvarta’s Priestly Support; Conditions, Truth-Discipline, and Rival Powers

Devanagari script

/ अपन क्रात बछ। अर: सप्तमो<्ध्याय: संवर्त और मरुत्तकी बातचीत

Transliteration

Saṃvarta uvāca: katham asmi tvayā jñātaḥ? kena vā kathito 'smi te? etad ācakṣva me tattvam icchase cen mama priyam.

Translation

桑婆尔塔说道：“大王，你是如何认出我的？又是谁将我的来历告诉了你？若你真想取悦于我，就把此事如实、分明地说来。”

Word by Word

• संवर्तः: Samvarta (name)
• संवर्तः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: संवर्त
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• उवाच: said
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच्
• Form: Perfect (Paroksha-bhuta), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• कथम्: how
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कथम्

• अस्मि: am
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस्
• Form: Present, 1st, Singular, Parasmaipada

• त्वया: by you
• त्वया: Karana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: त्वद्
• Form: Masculine/Feminine/Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• ज्ञातः: known/recognized
• Type: Verb
• Root: ज्ञा
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• केन: by whom
• केन: Karana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: किम्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• वा: or
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा

• कथितः: told/introduced
• Type: Verb
• Root: कथ्
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• अस्मि: am
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस्
• Form: Present, 1st, Singular, Parasmaipada

• ते: to you
• ते: Sampradana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: त्वद्
• Form: Masculine/Feminine/Neuter, Dative, Singular

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: एतद्
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• आचक्ष्व: tell (me), explain
• Type: Verb
• Root: चक्ष्
• Form: Imperative, 2nd, Singular, Atmanepada

• मे: to me
• मे: Sampradana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: अस्मद्
• Form: Masculine/Feminine/Neuter, Dative, Singular

• तत्त्वम्: the truth, the real fact
• तत्त्वम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: तत्त्व
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• इच्छसे: you desire
• Type: Verb
• Root: इष्
• Form: Present, 2nd, Singular, Atmanepada

• चेत्: if
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: चेत्

• मम: my
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: अस्मद्
• Form: Masculine/Feminine/Neuter, Genitive, Singular

• प्रियम्: what is pleasing (to me), a favor
• प्रियम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रिय
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

संवर्त उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Saṃvarta
• Marutta (implied by chapter context)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse foregrounds ethical communication: before granting favor or cooperation, Saṃvarta demands truthful disclosure of how knowledge about him was obtained. It emphasizes transparency, honesty, and respect in approaching a revered or powerful figure.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Saṃvarta–Marutta episode, Saṃvarta questions the king about how he identified Saṃvarta and who informed him. The inquiry sets the tone for a serious request—connected with arranging a sacrifice—where the sage insists on hearing the exact truth before proceeding.