Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 373

Adhyāya 14: Śalya’s Missile-Pressure and the Pāṇḍava Convergence (शल्यस्य शरवर्षम्)

Devanagari script

रथेन मेघघोषेण द्रौणिमेवाभ्यधावत । तब युद्धस्थलमें पांचाल महारथी सुरथने भी मेघके समान गम्भीर घोष करनेवाले रथके द्वारा अश्वत्थामापर ही धावा किया

Transliteration

rathena meghaghoṣeṇa drauṇim evābhyadhāvata |

Translation

Sanjaya said: Then Suratha, the great chariot-warrior of the Panchalas, charged straight at Ashvatthama (Drauni) in his chariot whose roar was deep like thunderclouds—an image of relentless martial resolve as the battle’s fury intensified.

Word by Word

• रथेन: by/with a chariot
• रथेन: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• मेघघोषेण: with cloud-like roar (i.e., having a roar like thunderclouds)
• मेघघोषेण: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: मेघघोष
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• द्रौणिम्: Drauni (Ashvatthaman, son of Drona)
• द्रौणिम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रौणि
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• एव: indeed/just
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव

• अभ्यधावत: ran towards/charged at
• Type: Verb
• Root: धाव्
• Form: Imperfect (Lan), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sanjaya
• Ashvatthama (Drauni)
• Suratha
• Panchalas
• Chariot

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the kshatriya ethos of direct engagement in battle—courage, resolve, and readiness to confront a formidable opponent—while also underscoring how war amplifies forceful action and escalating retaliation.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the ongoing battle, Suratha, a leading Panchala chariot-warrior, drives his thunder-roaring chariot straight at Ashvatthama (Drauni), initiating a direct confrontation as described by Sanjaya.