Shloka 24

Vyāghra–Gomāyu Saṃvāda (व्याघ्रगोमायु संवाद) — Testing Character Beneath Appearances

Devanagari script

अनतीतोपधानू प्राज्ञान्‌ हिते युक्तान्‌ मनस्विन: । पूजयेथा महाभाग यथा<<चार्यान्‌ यथा पितृन्‌

Transliteration

anātītopadhānū prājñān hite yuktān manasvinaḥ | pūjayethā mahābhāga yathācāryān yathā pitṝn |

Translation

舍尔图拉说道：“有福之人啊，你当如敬师长、如敬父祖一般，礼敬那些智慧而胸怀高远之士：他们不施诡诈之计，专心为你之福祉，志向坚定。择此等人为辅佐或大臣，并以对长者与导师的同等敬意加以尊崇——使你的统治得以在忠诚的谏言与合乎法义的明智引导之下。”

Word by Word

• अनतीतोपधानू: not having passed beyond (i.e., not neglecting) precautions/attentions
• अनतीतोपधानू: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनतीत-उपधान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• प्राज्ञान्: wise, intelligent
• प्राज्ञान्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्राज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• हिते: in (your) welfare/benefit
• हिते: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: हित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• युक्तान्: engaged, devoted, connected
• युक्तान्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युक्त (युज् धातु, क्त-प्रत्यय; कृदन्त)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• मनस्विनः: high-minded, resolute
• मनस्विनः: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मनस्विन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• पूजयेथाः: you should honor/worship
• पूजयेथाः: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: पूज् (धातु)
• Form: Optative (Vidhi-lin), Second, Singular, Parasmaipada

• महाभाग: O fortunate one / O noble one
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाभाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular

• यथा: as, just as
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)

• आचार्यान्: teachers, preceptors
• आचार्यान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: आचार्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• यथा: as, just as
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)

• पितॄन्: fathers/forefathers
• पितॄन्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

Speaker

शार्टूल उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Śārṭūla
• ācārya (teachers/preceptors)
• pitṛ (fathers/elders)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

A ruler should choose wise, loyal, and principled advisers—especially those not given to deceit—and honor them like one honors teachers and fathers, because ethical counsel is foundational to righteous governance (rājadharma).

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on governance and conduct, Śārṭūla addresses a noble listener, advising him on how to appoint and treat assistants/ministers: select the wise devoted to the ruler’s welfare and show them reverence akin to elders and preceptors.