Shloka 16

द्रोण-पार्थ-युद्धम्

Droṇa–Pārtha Strategic Engagement

Devanagari script

उत्सृज्य रथवंशं तु प्रयाते श्वेतवाहने । अभिप्रायं विदित्वा च कृपो वचनमत्रवीत्‌,रथियोंकी सेना छोड़कर श्वेतवाहन अर्जुन जब दूसरी ओर चल दिये, तब उनका अभिप्राय समझकर कृपाचार्य बोले--

Transliteration

utsṛjya rathavaṁśaṁ tu prayāte śvetavāhane | abhiprāyaṁ viditvā ca kṛpo vacanam atravīt ||

Translation

Als Arjuna, der Śvetavāhana, das Kontingent der Wagenkämpfer zurückließ und in eine andere Richtung davonzog, sprach Kṛpa—seine Absicht erkennend—diese Worte—

Word by Word

उत्सृज्यhaving abandoned/left

रथवंशम्the line/column of chariots (chariot-formation)

तुbut/indeed

प्रयातेwhen (he) had gone / upon (his) departure

श्वेतवाहनेin/when the white-horsed one (Arjuna) (had gone)

अभिप्रायम्intention/purport

विदित्वाhaving known/understood

चand

कृपःKripa (Kripacharya)

वचनम्words/speech

अत्रवीत्said/spoke

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Śvetavāhana (Arjuna)

Kṛpa (Kṛpācārya)

rathavaṁśa (chariot-warriors/contingent)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores discernment in action: a purposeful move on the battlefield reveals inner resolve (abhiprāya), and wise elders respond with timely counsel. Ethical leadership involves reading intentions accurately and speaking appropriately at decisive moments.

What is happening in the narrative?

Arjuna (called Śvetavāhana) leaves the chariot-warriors’ contingent and proceeds in another direction. Kṛpācārya perceives Arjuna’s intention behind this movement and begins to address him.