Shloka 30

Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 107: Karṇa–Bhīma Saṃmarda

Arrow-storm Engagement

Devanagari script

ततदश्रित्राणि शुभ्राणि सुमहान्ति महारथा:

Transliteration

tatadāśritrāṇi śubhrāṇi sumahānti mahārathāḥ

Translation

Sañjaya sprach: Da rückten die großen Wagenkrieger, hinter jenen strahlend weißen, überaus gewaltigen Schutzdecken Stellung nehmend, in die Schlacht vor—auf Vorteil bedacht durch Abwehr wie durch Kraft, mitten im moralischen Wirrsal des Krieges.

Word by Word

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: neuter, nominative/accusative, singular

• अश्रित्राणि: armour/cuirasses (protective gear)
• अश्रित्राणि: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्रित्राण
• Form: neuter, nominative/accusative, plural

• शुभ्राणि: bright, white, shining
• शुभ्राणि: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ्र
• Form: neuter, nominative/accusative, plural

• सुमहान्ति: very great, exceedingly large
• सुमहान्ति: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुमहत्
• Form: neuter, nominative/accusative, plural

• महारथाः: great chariot-warriors
• महारथाः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: महारथ
• Form: masculine, nominative, plural

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• mahārathāḥ (great chariot-warriors)
• āśritrāṇi (protective coverings/defenses)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Even in warfare, strength is not only aggression; disciplined protection and strategic positioning matter. The verse hints at how warriors balance valor with prudence, raising ethical reflection on means used amid adharma-filled conflict.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya describes elite chariot-warriors advancing while relying on bright, massive defensive supports—suggesting a tactical formation or use of protective gear as the battle intensifies in Droṇa Parva.