Mahabharata — Svargarohana Parva, Shloka 55
Devanagari script
स्वस्ति वाच्य द्विजानादौ ततः कार्ये प्रवर्तिते । समाप्ते पर्वणि ततः स्वशकक््त्या पूजयेद् द्विजान्
Transliteration
svasti vācya dvijān ādau tataḥ kārye pravartite | samāpte parvaṇi tataḥ svaśaktyā pūjayed dvijān ||
Translation
毗舍摩波耶那说道：“先令婆罗门宣诵吉祥祝词（svasti），然后方可开始所欲行之诵读/仪式。待一品（parvan）终了之后，应随己力财分，礼敬供养那些婆罗门。”
Word by Word
स्वस्तिauspicious benediction; 'svasti'
स्वस्ति:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootस्वस्ति
वाच्यto be recited/uttered
वाच्य:
TypeAdjective
Rootवाच्य
Formneuter, nominative, singular
द्विजान्Brahmins (twice-born)
द्विजान्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootद्विज
Formmasculine, accusative, plural
आदौat the beginning
आदौ:
Adhikarana
TypeIndeclinable
Rootआदि
ततःthen/thereafter
ततः:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootततः
कार्येin the rite/task (of recitation)
कार्ये:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootकार्य
Formneuter, locative, singular
प्रवर्तितेwhen (it) has been set in motion/started
प्रवर्तिते:
TypeVerb
Rootप्रवर्तय् (प्र + वृत्/वर्त् caus.)
Formperfect/passive-like usage (PPP-based finite form in epic style), third, singular
समाप्तेwhen completed/finished
समाप्ते:
Adhikarana
TypeAdjective
Rootसमाप्त
Formneuter, locative, singular
पर्वणिin the parvan/section
पर्वणि:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootपर्वन्
Formneuter, locative, singular
ततःthen/thereafter
ततः:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootततः
स्वशक्त्याaccording to one's own ability
स्वशक्त्या:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootस्वशक्ति
Formfeminine, instrumental, singular
पूजयेत्should honor/worship
पूजयेत्:
TypeVerb
Rootपूज्
Formoptative, third, singular, parasmaipada
द्विजान्the Brahmins
द्विजान्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootद्विज
Formmasculine, accusative, plural
Speaker
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Characters & Entities
V
VaiśampāyanaD
dvija (Brahmins)Character Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
War Context
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Geographic Context
Meter (Chandas)
Sandhi Notes
Educational Q&A
Begin sacred or formal undertakings with auspicious benedictions, and conclude by honoring the officiants/reciters—especially Brahmins—according to one’s means, emphasizing gratitude, propriety, and dharmic reciprocity.
Vaiśampāyana gives a procedural instruction for conducting a parvan/recitation: first arrange the ‘svasti’ blessing by Brahmins to inaugurate the work, and after the section ends, offer them due honor and worship within one’s capacity.