Shloka 14

Duryodhana-patana-anuśocana

The Fall of Duryodhana and the Contest of Restraint

Devanagari script

अपि चोशनसा गीत: श्रूयते5यं पुरातन: । श्लोकस्तत्त्वार्थसहितस्तन्मे निगदत: शृणु

Transliteration

api cośanasā gītaḥ śrūyate ’yaṃ purātanaḥ | ślokas tattvārthasahitas tan me nigadataḥ śṛṇu |

Translation

风神伐由说道：“此外，还流传着乌沙那（首迦阿阇梨）所作的一首古偈。此偈富含真理要义。且听我诵来——从我口中听取。”

Word by Word

• [{'term': 'api ca', 'definition': 'moreover

• and further'}, {'term': 'Uśanasā (ośanasā)', 'definition': 'by Uśanas

• a name of Śukra/Śukrācārya, preceptor of the Asuras and authority on polity/ethics'}, {'term': 'gītaḥ', 'definition': 'sung

• uttered'}, {'term': 'śrūyate', 'definition': 'is heard

• is traditionally reported'}, {'term': 'ayam', 'definition': 'this'}, {'term': 'purātanaḥ', 'definition': 'ancient

• of old tradition'}, {'term': 'ślokaḥ', 'definition': 'a verse

• metrical saying'}, {'term': 'tattvārtha', 'definition': 'the essential/true meaning

• principle-based import'}, {'term': 'sahitaḥ', 'definition': 'endowed with

• accompanied by'}, {'term': 'tan me', 'definition': 'that—of/for me

• here: “that (verse), from me”'}, {'term': 'nigadataḥ', 'definition': 'as (I am) declaring/reciting'}, {'term': 'śṛṇu', 'definition': 'listen

Speaker

वायुदेव उवाच

Characters & Entities

• वायुदेव (Vāyu)
• उशनस् / शुक्राचार्य (Uśanas / Śukrācārya)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse frames ethical instruction as grounded in authoritative tradition: Vāyu introduces a time-honored maxim of Uśanas, emphasizing that it carries tattva—principled, essential meaning—so it should be listened to carefully as guidance for conduct and judgment.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vāyu, as the speaker, pauses the immediate discussion to cite an ancient śloka attributed to Uśanas (Śukrācārya). This line functions as a preface: he signals that a significant, principle-laden verse is about to be recited to the listener(s) in the war-time setting of Śalya Parva.