महाभारतः mahābhārataḥ - book-1, chapter-34, verse-18

भैक्षवद्भिक्षमाणाय नागानां भयशान्तये ।
ऋषये सुव्रताय त्वमेष मोक्षः श्रुतो मया ॥१८॥

18. bhaikṣavadbhikṣamāṇāya nāgānāṁ bhayaśāntaye ,
ṛṣaye suvratāya tvameṣa mokṣaḥ śruto mayā.

18. bhaikṣavat bhikṣamāṇāya nāgānām bhaya-śāntaye
ṛṣaye su-vratāya tvam eṣaḥ mokṣaḥ śrutaḥ mayā

18. You must give (her) to that sage of good vows, who is begging like a mendicant, for the appeasement of the Nāgas' fear. This (action) is the path to liberation that I have heard.

Words meanings summery:

• भैक्षवत् (bhaikṣavat) - In the manner of a beggar or seeking alms, modifying the sage's request. (like alms, like a mendicant's meal)

• भिक्षमाणाय (bhikṣamāṇāya) - To the sage Jaratkāru, who is seeking a wife as if begging. (to the one begging, to the one asking for alms)

• नागानाम् (nāgānām) - Pertaining to the serpent race, indicating the beneficiaries of the action. (of the Nāgas)

• भय-शान्तये (bhaya-śāntaye) - To avert the impending destruction or curse affecting the Nāgas. (for the appeasement of fear, for peace from fear)

• ऋषये (ṛṣaye) - To Jaratkāru, the recipient of the sister. (to the sage)

• सु-व्रताय (su-vratāya) - To the sage Jaratkāru, known for his strict observances. (to the one with good vows, to the pious one)

• त्वम् (tvam) - Addressing Vāsuki directly, indicating he is the one who must perform the action. (you)

• एषः (eṣaḥ) - Refers to the suggested action (giving the sister) as a means of liberation. (this, he)

• मोक्षः (mokṣaḥ) - The means to liberation from the curse and fear for the Nāgas. (liberation, release, salvation)

• श्रुतः (śrutaḥ) - The speaker (Elāpatra) has heard this information (about liberation) from scripture or tradition. (heard, listened, revealed)

• मया (mayā) - By Elāpatra, who is narrating. (by me)

Words meanings and morphology

भैक्षवत् (bhaikṣavat) - In the manner of a beggar or seeking alms, modifying the sage's request. (like alms, like a mendicant's meal)

(indeclinable)

Derived from `bhikṣā` (alms).

Note: Modifies `bhikṣamāṇāya`.

भिक्षमाणाय (bhikṣamāṇāya) - To the sage Jaratkāru, who is seeking a wife as if begging. (to the one begging, to the one asking for alms)

(nominal form)

Dative, masculine, singular of bhikṣamāṇa

bhikṣamāṇa - begging, asking for alms

present middle participle

Present middle participle of √bhikṣ (to beg).

Root: bhikṣ (class 1)

Note: Recipient of the action of giving the sister.

नागानाम् (nāgānām) - Pertaining to the serpent race, indicating the beneficiaries of the action. (of the Nāgas)

(noun)

Genitive, masculine, plural of nāga

nāga - serpent, snake, Nāga (mythical serpent-being), elephant

Note: Modifies `bhaya-śāntaye`.

भय-शान्तये (bhaya-śāntaye) - To avert the impending destruction or curse affecting the Nāgas. (for the appeasement of fear, for peace from fear)

(noun)

Dative, feminine, singular of bhaya-śānti

bhaya-śānti - pacification of fear, end of danger

Compound type : tatpuruṣa (bhaya+śānti)

• bhaya – fear, dread, danger
  noun (neuter)
  Derived from √bhī (to fear).
  Root: bhī (class 3)
• śānti – peace, tranquility, appeasement, cessation
  noun (feminine)
  action noun
  Derived from √śam (to be calm).
  Root: śam (class 4)

Note: Purpose clause.

ऋषये (ṛṣaye) - To Jaratkāru, the recipient of the sister. (to the sage)

(noun)

Dative, masculine, singular of ṛṣi

ṛṣi - sage, seer, inspired poet

Note: Recipient of the action.

सु-व्रताय (su-vratāya) - To the sage Jaratkāru, known for his strict observances. (to the one with good vows, to the pious one)

(adjective)

Dative, masculine, singular of su-vrata

su-vrata - of good vows, pious, righteous, observant of sacred rites

Bahuvrīhi compound 'having good vows'.

Compound type : bahuvrīhi (su+vrata)

• su – good, well, excellent
  indeclinable
• vrata – vow, sacred observance, religious practice
  noun (neuter)
  Root: vṛ (class 9)

त्वम् (tvam) - Addressing Vāsuki directly, indicating he is the one who must perform the action. (you)

(pronoun)

Nominative, singular of yuṣmad

yuṣmad - you (singular/plural)

Note: Subject of the imperative `pratipāday` from the previous verse.

एषः (eṣaḥ) - Refers to the suggested action (giving the sister) as a means of liberation. (this, he)

(pronoun)

Nominative, masculine, singular of etad

etad - this, he, she, it

Note: Subject of the statement 'this is liberation'.

मोक्षः (mokṣaḥ) - The means to liberation from the curse and fear for the Nāgas. (liberation, release, salvation)

(noun)

Nominative, masculine, singular of mokṣa

mokṣa - liberation, release, emancipation, salvation

action noun

Derived from √muc (to release).

Root: muc (class 6)

Note: Predicate nominative with implied 'is'.

श्रुतः (śrutaḥ) - The speaker (Elāpatra) has heard this information (about liberation) from scripture or tradition. (heard, listened, revealed)

(nominal form)

Nominative, masculine, singular of śruta

śruta - heard, listened, known by tradition, revealed

past passive participle

Past passive participle of √śru (to hear).

Root: śru (class 5)

Note: Forms a passive construction with `mayā`.

मया (mayā) - By Elāpatra, who is narrating. (by me)

(pronoun)

Instrumental, singular of asmad

asmad - I, we

Note: Agent in passive construction with `śrutaḥ`.