Shloka 33
Omens in the Kuru Host and Droṇa’s Recognition of Arjuna (क्लीबवेषधारी पार्थ-परिज्ञानम्)
तमुत्तरं वीक्ष्य रथोत्तमे स्थितं बृहन्नलाया: सहितं महाभुजम् | स्त्रियश्न कन्याश्र द्विजाश्व सुव्रता: प्रदक्षिणं चक्रुरथोचुरज्ञना:,बृहन्नलाके साथ उत्तम रथपर बैठे हुए महाबाहु उत्तरको जाते देख स्त्रियों, कन्याओं तथा उत्तम व्रतका पालन करनेवाले ब्राह्मणोंने उसकी दक्षिणावर्त परिक्रमा की। तत्पश्चात् स्त्रियाँ और कन्याएँ बोलीं---
tam uttaraṁ vīkṣya rathottame sthitaṁ bṛhannalāyāḥ sahitaṁ mahābhujam | striyaś ca kanyāś ca dvijāś ca suvratāḥ pradakṣiṇaṁ cakrur athocur ajñanāḥ ||
Als sie Uttara, den Mächtigarmigen, auf einem vortrefflichen Wagen zusammen mit Bṛhannalā erblickten, vollzogen Frauen, Mädchen und die gelobestreuen Brahmanen ehrfürchtig die Umkreisung zur Rechten. Danach sprachen die Frauen und Mädchen—
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic social conduct: honoring perceived valor and auspicious leadership through pradakṣiṇā, a ritual act of respect. It reflects how communities express reverence and seek well-being by aligning with auspicious action and disciplined (suvrata) religious presence.
Uttara is seen mounted on an excellent chariot with Bṛhannalā (Arjuna in disguise). The women, maidens, and Brahmins perform a clockwise circumambulation of him as a sign of blessing and reverence, and then the women and girls begin to speak, setting up the next lines of dialogue.