महाभारतः mahābhārataḥ - book-2, chapter-50, verse-12

परप्रणेयोऽग्रणीर्हि यश्च मार्गात्प्रमुह्यति ।
पन्थानमनुगच्छेयुः कथं तस्य पदानुगाः ॥१२॥

12. parapraṇeyo'graṇīrhi yaśca mārgātpramuhyati ,
panthānamanugaccheyuḥ kathaṁ tasya padānugāḥ.

12. parapraṇeyaḥ agraṇīḥ hi yaḥ ca mārgāt pramuhyati
panthānam anugaccheyuḥ katham tasya padānugāḥ

12. Indeed, how can followers adhere to the path of someone who, though a leader, is led by others and deviates from the proper course?

Words meanings summery:

• परप्रणेयः (parapraṇeyaḥ) - one led by others, dependent on others for guidance

• अग्रणीः (agraṇīḥ) - leader, chief, foremost

• हि (hi) - indeed, surely, because

• यः (yaḥ) - who, he who

• च (ca) - and, also

• मार्गात् (mārgāt) - from the path, from the way

• प्रमुह्यति (pramuhyati) - becomes bewildered, loses his way, deviates

• पन्थानम् (panthānam) - the path, the way

• अनुगच्छेयुः (anugaccheyuḥ) - they should follow, they would follow

• कथम् (katham) - how, in what manner

• तस्य (tasya) - his, of him

• पदानुगाः (padānugāḥ) - followers, those who follow in one's footsteps

Words meanings and morphology

परप्रणेयः (parapraṇeyaḥ) - one led by others, dependent on others for guidance

(adjective)

Nominative, masculine, singular of parapraṇeya

parapraṇeya - to be led by another, dependent on others' guidance

Gerundive

From root nī (to lead) with upasarga pra, compounded with para.

Compound type : tatpuruṣa (para+praṇeya)

• para – other, another, alien
  adjective (masculine)
• praṇeya – to be led, to be guided, to be conducted
  gerundive (masculine)
  Gerundive (anīyar suffix)
  From root nī (to lead) with upasarga pra.
  Prefix: pra
  Root: nī (class 1)

अग्रणीः (agraṇīḥ) - leader, chief, foremost

(noun)

Nominative, masculine, singular of agraṇī

agraṇī - leader, chief, foremost, guide

Agent Noun

Compound of agra (front) and nī (leader/guide, from root nī 'to lead').

Compound type : upapada tatpuruṣa (agra+nī)

• agra – front, top, tip, chief
  noun (neuter)
• nī – leader, guide
  noun (masculine)
  Agent Noun
  Derived from root nī (to lead) with kṛt suffix ṇi.
  Root: nī (class 1)

हि (hi) - indeed, surely, because

(indeclinable)

यः (yaḥ) - who, he who

(pronoun)

Nominative, masculine, singular of yad

yad - who, which, what

Note: Refers to the implied advisor (Vidura).

च (ca) - and, also

(indeclinable)

Note: Conjunction.

मार्गात् (mārgāt) - from the path, from the way

(noun)

Ablative, masculine, singular of mārga

mārga - path, road, way, course, proper course

Note: Refers to the correct or proper path.

प्रमुह्यति (pramuhyati) - becomes bewildered, loses his way, deviates

(verb)

3rd person , singular, active, present (laṭ) of pramuh

Present Active

From root muh (to be bewildered) with upasarga pra. 3rd person singular.

Prefix: pra

Root: muh (class 4)

Note: Refers to the leader being confused or astray.

पन्थानम् (panthānam) - the path, the way

(noun)

Accusative, masculine, singular of pathin

pathin - path, road, way

Note: Object of 'anugaccheyuḥ'.

अनुगच्छेयुः (anugaccheyuḥ) - they should follow, they would follow

(verb)

3rd person , plural, active, optative (liṅ) of anugam

Optative Active

From root gam (to go) with upasarga anu. 3rd person plural.

Prefix: anu

Root: gam (class 1)

Note: Expresses potential or obligation.

कथम् (katham) - how, in what manner

(indeclinable)

तस्य (tasya) - his, of him

(pronoun)

Genitive, masculine, singular of tad

tad - that, he, it

Note: Refers to the leader being discussed.

पदानुगाः (padānugāḥ) - followers, those who follow in one's footsteps

(noun)

Nominative, masculine, plural of padānuga

padānuga - following steps, a follower, an adherent

Agent Noun

From root gam (to go) with upasarga anu, preceded by pada (footstep).

Compound type : upapada tatpuruṣa (pada+anuga)

• pada – foot, step, word, position
  noun (neuter)
• anuga – following, accompanying, a follower
  adjective (masculine)
  Agent Noun
  From root gam (to go) with upasarga anu and kṛt suffix ḍa.
  Prefix: anu
  Root: gam (class 1)