Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 263

Book 9 (Śalya-parva), Adhyāya 13 — Arjuna’s Arrow-storm and the Drauṇi Confrontation

Devanagari script

पश्यतां पाण्डुपुत्राणां सिंहनादं ननाद च । भारत! फिर शल्यने दो बाणोंसे राजा युधिष्ठिरकी उस शतघ्नीको भी पाण्डवोंके देखते-देखते काट डाला और सिंहके समान दहाड़ना आरम्भ किया

Transliteration

paśyatāṃ pāṇḍuputrāṇāṃ siṃhanādaṃ nanāda ca |

Translation

Sañjaya said: While the sons of Pāṇḍu looked on, he let out a lion-like roar—an act meant to proclaim dominance and intimidate the opposing warriors in the midst of battle.

Word by Word

• पश्यताम्: while (they two) were watching / in the presence of the two watching
• पश्यताम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Verb
• Root: पश्यत् (√दृश्)
• Form: present (vartamana), parasmaipada (active), शतृ (present active participle), genitive, dual

• पाण्डु-पुत्राणाम्: of the sons of Pाण्डु (the Pāṇḍavas)
• पाण्डु-पुत्राणाम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाण्डुपुत्र (पाण्डु + पुत्र)
• Form: masculine, genitive, plural

• सिंह-नादम्: a lion-roar
• सिंह-नादम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिंहनाद (सिंह + नाद)
• Form: masculine, accusative, singular

• ननाद: roared / sounded
• ननाद: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: √नद्
• Form: perfect (liṭ), 3rd, singular, parasmaipada

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Pāṇḍuputras (Pāṇḍavas)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the kṣatriya battlefield ethos: public displays of fearlessness and dominance (such as a lion-like roar) are used to strengthen one’s own side and unsettle the enemy, reflecting how psychological force accompanies physical combat.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the presence of the Pāṇḍavas, a warrior roars like a lion—an emphatic battle-cry signaling confidence and challenge amid the ongoing fighting.