Shloka 373

Adhyāya 14: Śalya’s Missile-Pressure and the Pāṇḍava Convergence (शल्यस्य शरवर्षम्)

Devanagari script

रथेन मेघघोषेण द्रौणिमेवाभ्यधावत । तब युद्धस्थलमें पांचाल महारथी सुरथने भी मेघके समान गम्भीर घोष करनेवाले रथके द्वारा अश्वत्थामापर ही धावा किया

Transliteration

rathena meghaghoṣeṇa drauṇim evābhyadhāvata |

Translation

Sañjaya sprach: Da stürmte Suratha, der große Wagenkämpfer der Pañcālas, in seinem Wagen, dessen Dröhnen tief war wie Donnerwolken, geradewegs auf Aśvatthāmā (Drauṇi) los — ein Bild unerbittlicher Kampfentschlossenheit, während die Wut der Schlacht sich steigerte.

Word by Word

• रथेन: by/with a chariot
• रथेन: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• मेघघोषेण: with cloud-like roar (i.e., having a roar like thunderclouds)
• मेघघोषेण: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: मेघघोष
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• द्रौणिम्: Drauni (Ashvatthaman, son of Drona)
• द्रौणिम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रौणि
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• एव: indeed/just
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव

• अभ्यधावत: ran towards/charged at
• Type: Verb
• Root: धाव्
• Form: Imperfect (Lan), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sanjaya
• Ashvatthama (Drauni)
• Suratha
• Panchalas
• Chariot

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the kshatriya ethos of direct engagement in battle—courage, resolve, and readiness to confront a formidable opponent—while also underscoring how war amplifies forceful action and escalating retaliation.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the ongoing battle, Suratha, a leading Panchala chariot-warrior, drives his thunder-roaring chariot straight at Ashvatthama (Drauni), initiating a direct confrontation as described by Sanjaya.