Shloka 22

त्रिगर्त-मात्स्य-संग्रामः

The Trigarta–Matsya Engagement at Twilight

Devanagari script

एतेषामपि दीयन्तां रथा ध्वजपताकिन: । कवचानि च चित्राणि दृढानि च मृदूनि च

Transliteration

eteṣām api dīyantāṃ rathā dhvajapatākinaḥ | kavacāni ca citrāṇi dṛḍhāni ca mṛdūni ca ||

Translation

قال فايشَمبايانا: «فليُعطَ هؤلاء أيضًا عرباتٌ مزدانةٌ بالرايات والألوية. ولْيُزوَّدوا كذلك بدروعٍ بهيّة—صلبةٍ من الخارج لينةٍ من الداخل—ليكونوا على أهبةٍ تامة.»

Word by Word

• एतेषाम्: for/of these
• एतेषाम्: Sampradana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: एतद्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive, Plural

• अपि: also/even
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि

• दीयन्ताम्: let (them) be given
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (दाने)
• Form: Imperative, Passive, Third, Plural

• रथाः: chariots
• रथाः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• ध्वजपताकिनः: having banners and pennants
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ध्वजपताकिन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• कवचानि: armours
• कवचानि: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: कवच
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Plural

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

• चित्राणि: variegated/ornate
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चित्र
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Plural

• दृढानि: firm/strong
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दृढ
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Plural

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

• मृदूनि: soft/pliant
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मृदु
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Plural

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

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśaṃpāyana
• ratha (chariots)
• dhvaja (banners/standards)
• patākā (pennants/flags)
• kavaca (armour)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores the dharmic ideal of proper martial preparedness and royal decorum: those recognized as warriors should be equipped with fitting insignia (banners, pennants) and protective gear, reflecting honor, responsibility, and readiness for righteous duty.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Virāṭa episode, arrangements are being made to outfit certain men for battle or public martial display. The speaker directs that they too receive chariots with standards and fine armor—strong yet comfortable—signaling their acceptance as capable warriors.