Mahabharata · 5.20.21
॥
Devanāgarī
ते भवन्तो यथाधर्मं यथासमयम् एव च ॥
प्रयच्छन्तु प्रदातव्यं मा वः कालो ऽत्यगाद् अयम् ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
te bhavanto yathādharmaṃ yathāsamayam eva ca ||
prayacchantu pradātavyaṃ mā vaḥ kālo 'tyagād ayam ||
Word-by-word
SanskritIASTMeaning
तेtethey; those
भवन्तोbhavantoyou; the honored ones
यथाधर्मंyathādharmaṃaccording to dharma; in accordance with justice
यथासमयम्yathāsamayamaccording to the agreement; in accordance with the appointed time
एवevaindeed; precisely
चcaand; also
प्रयच्छन्तुprayacchantulet them give; let them grant
प्रदातव्यंpradātavyaṃthat which ought to be given; what is due to be handed over
माmānot; let not
वःvaḥyour; to you
कालोkālotime; the appointed period
ऽत्यगाद्'tyagādhas passed; has elapsed
अयम्ayamthis; it
Translation
And just as Kiritin surpasses in strength even all these armies taken together, so too does the son of Vasudeva surpass them, possessing great splendor and mighty intellect. Who could fight, considering the greatness of the opposing force, the valor of Arjuna, and the wisdom of Krishna? Therefore I ask you to return what ought to be given, as dictated by morality and by the agreement. Do not let this opportunity pass!"
Version
1bb1606b546f · published Jul 17, 2026, 3:31:49 AM UTC
Available inRUENPage between verses with
This fragment (5.20.21) develops the central theme of the Udyoga-parva: the effort toward peace is already underway against the backdrop of an inevitable war. Key theme: dharma. Dharma is revealed here through speech, the choice of envoys, faithfulness to promises, and the responsibility of kings for the consequences of their decisions.