Shloka 9
Prahlāda–Indra Saṃvāda: Kartṛtva (Agency) and Svabhāva (Nature) in the Causation of Karma
Devanagari script
अथामोघप्रयत्नेन मनो ज्ञाने निवेशयेत् । वाचामोघप्रयासेन मनोज्ञं तत् प्रवर्तते
Transliteration
athāmogha-prayatnena mano jñāne niveśayet | vācāmogha-prayāsena mano-jñaṃ tat pravartate ||
Translation
毗湿摩说道：“当以不徒劳的精进，使心安住于真实之智；又以不虚耗的言语之力，推动那令心悦意、并对心有益之事。”
Word by Word
अथthen/now
अथ:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअथ
अमोघप्रयत्नेनwith unfailing effort
अमोघप्रयत्नेन:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootअमोघप्रयत्न
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Singular
मनःthe mind
मनः:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootमनस्
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
ज्ञानेin knowledge
ज्ञाने:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootज्ञान
FormNeuter, Locative, Singular
निवेशयेत्should fix/should place (cause to enter)
निवेशयेत्:
TypeVerb
Rootनि-विश्
FormVidhi-linga, Optative, Third, Singular, Parasmaipada, Active, Causative
वाचाby speech
वाचा:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootवाच्
FormFeminine, Instrumental, Singular
अमोघप्रयासेनwith unfailing exertion
अमोघप्रयासेन:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootअमोघप्रयास
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Singular
मनोज्ञम्pleasing (to the mind)
मनोज्ञम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootमनोज्ञ
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
तत्that (it)
तत्:
Karta
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormNeuter, Nominative, Singular
प्रवर्ततेproceeds/comes into operation
प्रवर्तते:
TypeVerb
Rootप्र-वृत्
FormLat, Present, Third, Singular, Atmanepada, Middle
Speaker
भीष्म उवाच
Characters & Entities
B
BhīṣmaCharacter Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
War Context
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Geographic Context
Meter (Chandas)
Sandhi Notes
Educational Q&A
Direct the mind toward jñāna through steady, effective effort, and use speech purposefully so that one’s words promote what is mentally wholesome and conducive to inner steadiness.
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and inner governance after the war; here he emphasizes disciplined mental focus on knowledge and restrained, meaningful speech as practical tools for ethical living.