Shloka 20

शकुनेः पुत्रेण सह आश्वमेधाश्वविषयः संघर्षः — Arjuna’s restrained engagement with Śakuni’s son during the horse-escort

Devanagari script

तेषामभ्यागतानां च स राजा कुरुवर्थन: । व्यादिदेशान्नपानानि शप्याश्नाप्पतिमानुषा:

Transliteration

teṣām abhyāgatānāṁ ca sa rājā kuruvardhanaḥ | vyādideśānna-pānāni śayyāś cāpy atimānuṣāḥ ||

Translation

毗湿摩波耶那说道：当那些宾客到来时，护持俱卢族繁荣的国王由提施提罗下令备办饮食，并为他们安排非同寻常、几近超越凡人的床榻与安适之具。

Word by Word

• तेषाम्: of those
• तेषाम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive, Plural

• अभ्यागतानाम्: of the arrived (guests)
• अभ्यागतानाम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभि-आ-गम् (गत)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive, Plural

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

• सः: he
• सः: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• राजा: king
• राजा: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• कुरुवर्धनः: increaser of the Kurus (Kuru-line)
• कुरुवर्धनः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुरु-वर्धन
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• व्यादिदेश: ordered / directed
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-आ-दि-श्
• Form: Perfect (Liṭ), 3, Singular, Parasmaipada

• अन्नपानानि: foods and drinks
• अन्नपानानि: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्न-पान
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Plural

• शय्याः: beds / couches
• शय्याः: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: शय्या
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Plural

• आश्नापयत्: caused (them) to eat / fed
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-श्ना (श्ना/अश्) (णिच्)
• Form: Imperfect (Laṅ), 3, Singular, Parasmaipada, true

• पतिमानुषाः: men with their lords/masters (i.e., accompanied by their chiefs)
• पतिमानुषाः: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पति-मानुष
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Yudhiṣṭhira
• Kuru dynasty
• guests (abhyāgata)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores atithi-dharma (the duty of hospitality): a righteous king honors arriving guests with generous provisions and respectful comfort, reflecting ethical governance and compassion.

What is happening in the narrative?

As new guests arrive, Yudhiṣṭhira orders immediate arrangements—food, drink, and exceptional resting accommodations—demonstrating royal responsibility and courteous reception.