Shloka 22

Jarāsandha–Vāsudeva Saṃvāda: Kṣātra-Dharma, Pride, and the Ethics of Coercion

Sabhā Parva, Adhyāya 20

Devanagari script

वर्चस्विनां ब्राह्मणानां स्नातकानां परिच्छदम्‌ | आच्छाद्य सुद्ददां वाक्यैर्मनोज्जैरभिनन्दिता:

Transliteration

varcasvināṃ brāhmaṇānāṃ snātakānāṃ paricchadam | ācchādya sudṛḍhāṃ vākyair manojñair abhinanditāḥ ||

Translation

毗湿摩波耶那说道：他们披上光彩夺目的“受戒毕业”婆罗门家主之衣，以此掩藏刹帝利的身份，继续上路。其时，怀善意的亲友以悦耳而扶持的言辞向他们致意并加以礼敬，使他们得以悄然通行。

Word by Word

• वर्चस्विनाम्: of the radiant/illustrious
• वर्चस्विनाम्: Sambandha
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर्चस्विन्
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Plural

• ब्राह्मणानाम्: of the Brahmins
• ब्राह्मणानाम्: Sambandha
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Plural

• स्नातकानाम्: of the स्नातक-s (graduates/initiated householders)
• स्नातकानाम्: Sambandha
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नातक
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Plural

• परिच्छदम्: attire/garb
• परिच्छदम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: परिच्छद
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• आच्छाद्य: having covered/put on
• आच्छाद्य: Kriya (Purvakala)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-छद्
• Form: Absolutive (क्त्वा/ल्यप्), Parasmaipada/Atmanepada (non-finite), Non-finite

• सुदृढाम्: firm/strong
• सुदृढाम्: Visheshana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुदृढ
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• वाक्यैः: with words/speeches
• वाक्यैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Plural

• मनोज्जैः: pleasing/charming
• मनोज्जैः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मनोज्ज
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Plural

• अभिनन्दिताः: were congratulated/welcomed
• अभिनन्दिताः: Karta (of implied passive construction)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-नन्द्
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Masculine, Nominative, Plural

Speaker

वैशग्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśaṃpāyana
• Brāhmaṇas
• Snātakas
• Paricchada (Brahmin attire)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights prudent conduct aligned with dharma: when circumstances demand safety and discretion, adopting a socially respected guise can prevent conflict, while the supportive speech of well-wishers becomes an ethical act of protection and solidarity.

What is happening in the narrative?

The group travels while concealing their Kṣatriya identity by wearing the dress of snātaka Brahmins. As they set out, friendly well-wishers honor them with pleasing words, reinforcing their safe and discreet movement.