Mahabharata — Shanti Parva, Shloka 143

Devanagari script

ऊचुर्वसुं विमानस्थ॑ देवपक्षार्थवादिनम्‌ । यह सुनकर वे सभी सूर्यके समान तेजस्वी ऋषि कुपित हो उठे और विमानपर बैठकर देवपक्षकी बात कहनेवाले वसुसे बोले--

Transliteration

ūcur vasuṃ vimānasthaṃ devapakṣārthavādinam |

Translation

毗湿摩说道：听到此言，那些贤圣——光辉如日——皆被激怒。他们对坐在天车之上、为诸神一方辩说的婆苏发言，责问他为何偏袒一方，违逆他们所认定的正道。

Word by Word

• ऊचुः: said/spoke
• ऊचुः: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच्
• Form: Perfect (Liṭ), 3rd, Plural, Parasmaipada

• वसुम्: Vasu (name), to Vasu
• वसुम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: वसु
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• विमानस्थम्: seated/standing in a chariot (vimāna)
• विमानस्थम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विमान-स्थ
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• देवपक्षार्थवादिनम्: one who argues/speaks in favor of the gods' side
• देवपक्षार्थवादिनम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: देव-पक्ष-अर्थ-वादिन्
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma
• Vasu
• Rishis (sages)
• Devas (gods)
• Vimana (celestial chariot)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the ethical tension between partisan advocacy and adherence to dharma as understood by the wise: taking a factional stance (even for the gods) can invite censure when it conflicts with principled judgment and the moral authority of sages.

What is happening in the narrative?

After hearing Vasu’s words, the sun-bright sages become angry and address him directly. Vasu is described as seated in a vimana and as one who is arguing for the gods’ side, setting up a confrontation between his factional argument and the sages’ response.