Shloka 41

Adhyāya 270 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s inquiry on saṃnyāsa; Bhīṣma on calculable time, tamas, and karma

Vṛtra–Uśanā exemplum begins

Devanagari script

ब्राह्मणस्य तपोयोगात्‌ सौहृदेनाभिचोदित:

Transliteration

brāhmaṇasya tapoyogāt sauhṛdenābhicoditaḥ, bharatanandana! itenahīme brāhmaṇasya tapasyāḥ prabhāvena tathā tasya prati sauhārdena preritaḥ kuṇḍadhāraṇe tasmai pratyakṣa-darśanaṃ dadau. tena miltvā brāhmaṇena kuṇḍadhārasya vidhipūrvakaṃ pūjā kṛtā. nareśvara! taṃ dṛṣṭvā brāhmaṇo mahad āścaryam avāpa.

Translation

毗湿摩说道：“噢，婆罗多族的荣光！军荼陀罗因婆罗门严整的苦行所感，又被对他的善意所触动，便亲自显现。相见之后，婆罗门依正当仪轨礼敬军荼陀罗。噢，大王，他一见其形，便惊异非常。”

Word by Word

• ब्राह्मणस्य: of the Brahmin
• ब्राह्मणस्य: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• तपः: austerity, penance
• तपः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस्
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• योगात्: from/through (the power of) yoga; due to yoga
• योगात्: Apadana
• Type: Noun
• Root: योग
• Form: Masculine, Ablative, Singular

• सौहृदेन: by friendship/affection
• सौहृदेन: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: सौहृद
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• अभिचोदितः: impelled, prompted
• अभिचोदितः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभि-चुद्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular, Past passive participle (क्त)

• भरत-नन्दन: O delight of Bharata (O descendant of Bharata)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भरतनन्दन
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• Bharatanandana (Yudhiṣṭhira)
• Brāhmaṇa (the ascetic Brahmin)
• Kuṇḍadhāra

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights that disciplined austerity (tapas) coupled with benevolent goodwill (sauhārda) can lead to direct spiritual encounter; it also stresses dharmic conduct through proper, rule-based worship (vidhipūrvaka pūjā) rather than casual or self-willed devotion.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhishma narrates that Kundadhara, pleased and prompted by the Brahmin’s ascetic power and friendly disposition, appears before him. The Brahmin then performs a proper ritual honoring of Kundadhara, and the extraordinary sight fills him with amazement.