Shloka 19

Śārṅgakānāṃ Avināśaḥ (Why the Śārṅga Birds Were Spared) | शार्ङ्गकानामविनाशः

Devanagari script

सुभद्रां त्वरमाणश्न रक्तकौशेयवासिनीम्‌ । पार्थ: प्रस्थापयामास कृत्वा गोपालिकावपु:,इसके बाद अर्जुनने लाल रेशमी साड़ी पहनकर आयी हुई अनिन्‍्द्यसुन्दरी सुभद्राका ग्वालिनका-सा वेश बनाकर उसे बड़ी उतावलीके साथ महलमें भेजा

Transliteration

subhadrāṃ tvaramāṇaś ca raktakauśeyavāsinīm | pārthaḥ prasthāpayāmāsa kṛtvā gopālikā-vapuḥ ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: Arjuna, seeing Subhadrā dressed in red silk and in haste, sent her on ahead after disguising her in the guise of a cowherd woman. The episode shows a strategic use of disguise and speed to avoid obstruction and public confrontation, seeking to accomplish their aim with the least harm and social turmoil.

Word by Word

• सुभद्राम्: Subhadrā (as object)
• सुभद्राम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुभद्रा
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• त्वरमाणः: hastening
• त्वरमाणः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्वर्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular, शतृ (present active participle)

• रक्तकौशेयवासिनीम्: wearing red silk garments
• रक्तकौशेयवासिनीम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रक्तकौशेयवासिनी
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• पार्थः: Pārtha (Arjuna)
• पार्थः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्थ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• प्रस्थापयामास: sent forth / dispatched
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-स्था (causative: प्रस्थापयति)
• Form: Perfect (periphrastic), Third, Singular, Parasmaipada

• कृत्वा: having made / having assumed
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ
• Form: क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund)

• गोपालिकावपुः: the form/guise of a cowherd-girl
• गोपालिकावपुः: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोपालिकावपु
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• वैशम्पायन (Vaiśampāyana)
• सुभद्रा (Subhadrā)
• पार्थ/अर्जुन (Pārtha/Arjuna)
• रक्तकौशेय (red silk garment)
• गोपलिका-वेष (cowherd-woman disguise)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores pragmatic ethics: when social or political resistance could provoke conflict, one may employ non-violent strategy—such as disguise and swift action—to protect persons and accomplish a legitimate aim while minimizing harm and public disorder.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana narrates that Arjuna (Pārtha) hurriedly sends Subhadrā ahead. Though she is dressed in red silk, he has her assume the outward guise of a cowherd woman, using disguise and speed to move her safely and discreetly toward their intended destination.