Chapter 1 · Prathamo’dhyāyaḥ (First Chapter)
Verse 19
प्रत्युवाच स तं वैश्यः प्रश्रयावनतो नृपम् ॥ १९ ॥
pratyuvāca sa taṁ vaiśyaḥ praśrayāvanatō nṛpam || 19 ||
Translation
...the Vaishya (merchant), bowed down with humility, replied to him, the king.
Word by word
- pratyuvāca
- replied
- saḥ
- he
- taṁ
- to him
- vaiśyaḥ
- the merchant
- praśraya
- with humility
- avanataḥ
- bowed down
- nṛpam
- to the king
Meaning
The merchant, sensing the king's noble bearing and sympathetic nature, responds with respect and humility. This sets the tone for a heartfelt exchange between two souls sharing a similar plight.