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Shloka 54

एकचक्रं रथं तस्य तमूहुः सुचिरं हया: । एकचक्रमिवार्कस्य रथं सप्त हया यथा,कर्णके घोड़े उसके एक पहियेवाले रथको बहुत देरतक ढोते रहे, मानो सूर्यके सात अश्व उनके एक चक्रवाले रथको खींच रहे हैं

ekacakraṁ rathaṁ tasya tam ūhuḥ suciraṁ hayāḥ | ekacakram ivārkasya rathaṁ sapta hayā yathā ||

সঞ্জয়ে ক’লে—তেওঁৰ একচকীয়া ৰথখন ঘোঁৰাবোৰে বহু সময় ধৰি টানি লৈ গ’ল; যেন সাত অশ্বে টনা সূৰ্যৰ একচকীয়া ৰথ॥

एकचक्रम्single-wheeled
एकचक्रम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootएकचक्र
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
रथम्chariot
रथम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootरथ
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
तस्यof him/that (his)
तस्य:
Adhikarana
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormMasculine/Neuter, Genitive, Singular
तम्that (him/it)
तम्:
Karma
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
ऊहुःthey carried/drew
ऊहुः:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootवह्
FormPerfect (Liṭ), 3rd, Plural, Parasmaipada
सुचिरम्for a very long time
सुचिरम्:
Adhikarana
TypeAdjective
Rootसुचिर
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
हयाःhorses
हयाः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootहय
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
एकचक्रम्single-wheeled
एकचक्रम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootएकचक्र
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
इवas/like
इव:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootइव
अर्कस्यof the Sun
अर्कस्य:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootअर्क
FormMasculine, Genitive, Singular
रथम्chariot
रथम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootरथ
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
सप्तseven
सप्त:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootसप्त
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
हयाःhorses
हयाः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootहय
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
यथाjust as
यथा:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootयथा

संजय उवाच

S
Sañjaya
C
chariot (ratha)
H
horses (hayāḥ)
S
Sun (Arka)
S
seven steeds of the Sun

Educational Q&A

The verse does not state a direct moral injunction; its ethical force lies in portraying unwavering martial drive (kṣatriya-dharma) through a cosmic comparison. By likening a warrior’s chariot to the Sun’s chariot, it underscores how battlefield action can be framed as inexorable, awe-inspiring, and larger than the individual—inviting reflection on the grandeur and peril of war-driven duty.

Sañjaya describes a warrior’s chariot that has only one wheel being drawn onward for a long time by its horses. The image suggests damage or extreme strain in combat, yet continued movement. The simile—like the Sun’s one-wheeled chariot drawn by seven horses—amplifies the spectacle and speed/endurance of the advance.