Shloka 19

Sainyavinyāsa–Lakṣaṇa (Disposition of Armies and Battlefield Omens) | सैन्यविन्यास–लक्षणम्

Devanagari script

महारथौघविपुल: समुद्र इव घोषवान्‌ । भीष्मेण धार्तराष्ट्राणां व्यूह: प्रत्यड्मुखो युधि

Transliteration

sajaya uv
01ca |

mah
01rathaughavipula samudra iva gho63av
01n |

bh
2b63me47a dh
01rtar
01636dr
0147
01 vy
6bha pratyag-mukho yudhi ||

Translation

Sañjaya sprach: Gewaltig an Scharen großer Wagenkämpfer brüllte die von Bhīṣma geformte Schlachtordnung der Kauravas wie der Ozean. Im Kampf war sie nach Westen ausgerichtet.

Word by Word

• महारथौघविपुलः: vast with a mass of great chariot-warriors
• महारथौघविपुलः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महारथ-ओघ-विपुल
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• समुद्रः: ocean
• समुद्रः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: समुद्र
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• इव: like, as
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव

• घोषवान्: roaring, resounding
• घोषवान्: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: घोषवत्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• भीष्मेण: by Bhishma
• भीष्मेण: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीष्म
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• धार्तराष्ट्राणाम्: of the Dhartarashtras (Kauravas)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धार्तराष्ट्र
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Plural

• व्यूहः: battle-array, formation
• व्यूहः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्यूह
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• प्रत्यङ्मुखः: having its face turned westward
• प्रत्यङ्मुखः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रत्यङ्मुख
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• युधि: in battle
• युधि: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: युध्
• Form: Feminine, Locative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sanjaya
• Bhishma
• Dhritarashtra (implied by 'Dhartarashtranam')
• Kauravas (Dhartarashtras)
• battle-array (vyuha)
• ocean (simile)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the ethical gravity of organized warfare: power is amplified by disciplined formation and leadership. Bhishma's command gives the Kaurava side formidable strength, reminding readers that in dharmic reflection, responsibility increases with authority and strategic control.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sanjaya describes the Kaurava army's battle-array arranged by Bhishma. It is packed with great warriors, thunders like the sea, and is positioned in battle facing west.