Shloka 30

Vāraṇāvata-praveśa and Jatugṛha-saṃdeha

Entry into Vāraṇāvata and Suspicion of the Lac-House

Devanagari script

गृहीतखड््‌गचर्माणस्ततो भूय: प्रहारिण: । त्सरुमार्गान्‌ यथोद्दिष्टं श्लेरु: सर्वासु भूमिषु,इसके बाद वे ढाल और तलवार लेकर एक-दूसरेपर प्रहार करते हुए खड्ग चलानेके शास्त्रोक्त मार्ग (ऊपर-नीचे और अगल-बगलमें घुमानेकी कला)-का प्रदर्शन करने लगे। उन्होंने रथ, हाथी, घोड़े और भूमि--इन सभी भूमियोंपर यह युद्ध-कौशल दिखाया

Transliteration

gṛhīta-khaḍga-carmāṇas tato bhūyaḥ prahāriṇaḥ | tsarumārgān yathoddiṣṭaṃ śleruḥ sarvāsu bhūmiṣu ||

Translation

Then, taking up sword and shield, they again began striking, delivering blow after blow. They displayed the prescribed sword-paths and maneuvers taught in the martial tradition, demonstrating their skill on every ‘ground’ of combat—on chariots, on elephants, on horses, and on foot.

Word by Word

• {'gṛhīta': 'taken up, seized, grasped', 'khaḍga': 'sword', 'carma(ṇ)': 'leather

• (here) shield (leather shield)', 'tataḥ': 'then, thereafter', 'bhūyaḥ': 'again, once more

• repeatedly', 'prahāriṇaḥ': 'strikers, those who deliver blows/attacks', 'mārga': 'path, method, course

• (in arms) a technical line of movement', 'yathā-uddiṣṭam': 'as instructed/prescribed', 'śleruḥ': 'they moved/roamed

• they proceeded (in the stated ways)', 'sarvāsu bhūmiṣu': 'in all grounds/fields/positions (i.e., all modes of fighting: chariot, elephant, horse, and on foot)'}

Speaker

धृतराष्ट उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Dhṛtarāṣṭra
• khaḍga (sword)
• carma (shield)
• ratha (chariot)
• gaja (elephant)
• aśva (horse)
• bhūmi (ground/on foot)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights that warfare, in the kṣatriya context, is not merely impulsive violence but a disciplined craft governed by taught methods (mārga). Ethical force is implied through training, restraint, and adherence to prescribed technique rather than uncontrolled aggression.

What is happening in the narrative?

Dhṛtarāṣṭra describes fighters taking up sword and shield and demonstrating formal sword-techniques. They practice or display these maneuvers across all combat platforms—chariot, elephant, horse, and on foot—showing comprehensive martial proficiency.