SAUNDARANANDA 18.53: All Because of Abiding by Dharma

sa-dharma dharmānvayato yataś-ca te
mayi prasādo 'dhigame ca kauśalam /
ato 'sti bhūyas-tvayi me vivakṣitaṃ
nato hi bhaktaś-ca niyogam-arhasi // 18.53 //

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Vaṁsastha

18.53
O possessor of dharma!
Since, because of abiding by dharma,

You have skill in making it your own
and quiet confidence in me,

I have something else to say to you.

For you are surrendered and devoted,
and up to the task.

COMMENT:
Hearing that Nanda's success has been "because of abiding by dharma" (dharmānvayataḥ), and therefore wishing likewise to abide by dharma, might be fraught with unseen danger, tied up with trying to be right.

The most difficult thing, it seems to me, for a person who aspires to abide by dharma, is not to try to be right but rather to know for damn sure that one is faulty, wrong, and on that basis to intuit what next to do or not to do.



EH Johnston:
You possess the Law and since in accordance with the Law you have obtained faith in Me and skill in attainment, I have more to say to you ; for, being humble and devoted, you are worthy of receiving a command.

Linda Covill:
Dharma-endowed man, from following dharma, confidence in me and skill in achievement are yours. I would like to ask more of you, for you are modest and devoted, and worthy of a calling.

VOCABULARY:
sa-dharma (voc. sg. m.): O possessor of dharma!; . mfn. virtuous , honest
sa: an inseparable prefix expressing "junction" , "conjunction" , "possession" (and when compounded with nouns to form adjectives and adverbs it may be translated by " with " , " together or along with " , " accompanied by " , " added to " , " having " , " possessing " , " containing ")
anvayataH = abl./gen. sg. pres. part. anv- √ i: to go after or alongside , to follow ; to seek ; to be guided by
dharm'-aanvaya: m. obedience to law
yataH: since, because of
ca: and
te (gen. sg.): in/of you

mayi (loc. sg.): in me
prasaadaH (nom. sg.): m. clearness; calmness , tranquillity , absence of excitement ; serenity of disposition , good humour [6.17 "clearly settled"; 17.30 "quiet certainty"; 18.4 "tranquillity"]
pra- √ sad: to become satisfied or pleased or glad , be gracious or kind
adhigame (loc. sg.): m. the act of attaining , acquisition ; acquirement , mastery , study , knowledge
ca: and
kaushalam (nom. sg.): n. well-being , welfare , good fortune , prosperity ; skilfulness , cleverness , experience (with loc. or ifc.)

ataH: hence
asti: there is
bhuuyaH: ind. more
tvayi (loc. sg.): to you
me (gen. sg.): of/in me
vivakShitam (nom. sg.): n. (fr. Desid. of √ vac) what is wished or intended to be spoken; n. any desired object or aim
√ vac : to speak , say , tell , utter , announce , declare , mention , proclaim , recite , describe (

nataH (nom. sg. m.): mfn. bent , bowed , curved , inclined , inclining ; bowing to , saluting ; deep, hanging down
√ nam: to bend or bow (either trans. or oftener intr. ) to bow to , subject or submit , one's self ; to yield or give way , keep quiet or be silent
hi: for
bhaktaH (nom. sg. m.): mfn. distributed , assigned; served; dressed, cooked ; engaged in , occupied with , attached or devoted to , loyal , faithful , honouring , worshipping , serving (loc. gen. acc. or comp.); m. a worshipper
ca: and
niyogam (acc. sg.): m. tying or fastening to ; m. employment , use , application ; injunction , order , command, commission , charge , appointed task or duty , business (esp. the appointing a brother or any near kinsman to raise up issue to a deceased husband by marrying his widow)
arhasi = 2nd pers. sg. arh: to deserve , merit , be worthy of, to have a claim to , be entitled to (acc.) , to be allowed to do anything (Inf.) ; to be obliged or required to do anything (acc.) ; to be worth , counterbalance , to be able