Shloka 20

Devanagari script

विरथा रथिनो राजन्‌ समासाद्य परस्परम्‌

Transliteration

virathā rathino rājan samāsādya parasparam

Translation

قال سنجيا: أيها الملك، إن فرسان المركبات، حين التقوا وجهًا لوجه، صاروا بلا مركبات—وأُلقي بهم في قتالٍ قريبٍ مباشر، حيث يحسم الشجاعةُ والصبرُ، لا العُدّة وحدها، عاقبةَ الأمر.

Word by Word

• विरथाः: without chariots, dismounted
• विरथाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विरथ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• रथिनः: chariot-warriors
• रथिनः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथिन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• राजन्: O king
• राजन्: Sampradana
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन्
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular

• समासाद्य: having approached, having come up to
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-√सद्
• Form: ल्यप् (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage), Prior action (having approached)

• परस्परम्: each other, mutually
• परस्परम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: परस्पर
• Form: true

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Dhṛtarāṣṭra
• rathins (chariot-warriors)
• chariots

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights a kṣatriya ideal: when external supports (like chariots and weapons) fail, one must still stand firm in courage and duty. It underscores resilience and the ethical demand to face conflict directly rather than relying solely on advantage or equipment.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that opposing chariot-fighters have closed in upon each other, and in the clash they become 'viratha'—separated from their chariots—indicating an intense engagement where the battle shifts into close quarters.