Chapter 1 · Prathamo’dhyāyaḥ (First Chapter)
Verse 26–27
राजोवाच ॥ २६ ॥ यैर्निरस्तो भवाँल्लुब्धैः पुत्रदारादिभिर्धनैः ॥ २७ ॥
rājōvāca || 26 || yairnirastō bhavām̐llubdhaiḥ putradārādibhirdhanaiḥ || 27 ||
Translation
The king said: 'You, who have been thrown out by those greedy sons, wives, and others for the sake of wealth...'
Word by word
- yaiḥ
- by whom
- nirastaḥ
- thrown out
- bhavān
- you (honorific)
- lubdhaiḥ
- by the greedy
- putra
- sons
- dāra
- wives
- ādibhiḥ
- and others
- dhanaiḥ
- for the sake of wealth
Meaning
King Suratha begins his response by summarizing the merchant's plight with great empathy. He expresses astonishment that the merchant could still feel concern for those who wronged him so grievously. The king's use of the honorific bhavān shows his respect for the merchant despite their different social standings, united as they are by similar suffering. This verse sets up the king's poignant question that follows, highlighting the paradox of attachment.