Shloka 4

Jñāna-plava (The Raft of Knowledge): Svabhāva, Prajñā, and the Ascent to Ātmajñāna

Devanagari script

जैगीषव्यं महाप्रज्ञं धर्माणामागतागमम्‌ । अक्रुध्यन्तमहृष्यन्तमसितो देवलोडब्रवीत्‌

Transliteration

jaigīṣavyaṁ mahāprajñaṁ dharmāṇām āgatāgamaṁ | akrudhyantam ahṛṣyantam asito devalo 'bravīt ||

Translation

毗湿摩说：阿悉多·提婆罗向圣者阇耆湿婆耶发问——此人智慧宏深，通达所传承的法（dharma）之传统，且不为嗔怒与欢喜所动——为的是彻底明了法的全体。

Word by Word

• जैगीषव्यम्: Jaigiṣavya (sage)
• जैगीषव्यम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: जैगीषव्य
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• महाप्रज्ञम्: very wise, of great intellect
• महाप्रज्ञम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाप्रज्ञ
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• धर्माणाम्: of dharmas / of duties
• धर्माणाम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Plural

• आगतागमम्: versed in tradition/scripture (having learned the āgamas)
• आगतागमम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आगतागम
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• अक्रुध्यन्तम्: not getting angry
• अक्रुध्यन्तम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अक्रुध्यत्
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• अमहृष्यन्तम्: not exulting / not becoming overjoyed
• अमहृष्यन्तम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अमहृष्यत्
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• असितः: Asita
• असितः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: असित
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• देवलः: Devala
• देवलः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवल
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• अब्रवीत्: said / spoke
• अब्रवीत्: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू
• Form: Imperfect (Laṅ), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma
• Jaigishavya
• Asita Devala

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the qualifications for reliable instruction on dharma: deep learning in authoritative tradition and inner steadiness—freedom from anger and excessive joy—so that judgment remains impartial and ethically grounded.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhishma introduces a dialogue: the sage Asita Devala approaches and questions the learned, even-minded sage Jaigishavya to obtain a comprehensive understanding of dharma.