Shloka 19

Vāg-yuddha and Nimitta-darśana before the Gadāyuddha

Verbal Duel and Omens

Devanagari script

अवबद्धशिरस्त्राण: संख्ये काज्चनवर्म भूत्‌

Transliteration

avabaddhaśirastrāṇaḥ saṅkhye kāñcanavarmabhūt

Translation

Sañjaya sprach: Mitten im Kampf hatte er den Kopfschutz fest verschnürt und trug goldene Rüstung—ein Bild bewusster Bereitschaft und disziplinierter Entschlossenheit unter der moralischen Schwere des Krieges.

Word by Word

• अवबद्ध-शिरस्त्राणः: having the head-guard fastened; with helmet secured
• अवबद्ध-शिरस्त्राणः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अवबद्ध (ppp. of अव√बन्ध्) + शिरस्त्राण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• सङ्ख्ये: in battle; in combat
• सङ्ख्ये: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: सङ्ख्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Locative, Singular

• काञ्चन-वर्म: golden armor
• काञ्चन-वर्म: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: काञ्चन (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• भूत्: became; was
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भू
• Form: Aorist (simple aorist), 3rd, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• helmet (śirastrāṇa)
• golden armour (kāñcanavarman)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights disciplined preparedness in the face of conflict: protection and readiness are portrayed as deliberate choices, underscoring the seriousness of entering battle and the weight of kṣatriya responsibility.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya describes a warrior on the battlefield whose helmet is securely tied and who is wearing golden armour, emphasizing his readiness and formidable appearance in combat.