Shloka 17

बभ्रुवाहन-धनंजययोः संग्रामः

Babhruvāhana and Dhanaṃjaya’s engagement at Maṇipūra

Devanagari script

तेषां किरीटी संकल्पं मोघं चक्रे महाबल:

Transliteration

teṣāṃ kirīṭī saṅkalpaṃ moghaṃ cakre mahābalaḥ

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: “Among them, the diademed hero—mighty in strength—rendered their resolve futile, ensuring that their intended plan came to nothing.”

Word by Word

• तेषाम्: of them
• तेषाम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive, Plural

• किरीटी: the diadem-wearer (Arjuna)
• किरीटी: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: किरीटिन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• संकल्पम्: resolve, intention
• संकल्पम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: संकल्प
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• मोघम्: vain, fruitless
• मोघम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मोघ
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• चक्रे: made, rendered
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ
• Form: Perfect (Paroksha), 3rd, Singular, Atmanepada

• महाबलः: mighty, of great strength
• महाबलः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाबल
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśaṃpāyana
• Arjuna (Kirīṭī)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Determination alone is not sufficient; when a righteous and capable protector stands firm, harmful or unjust designs can be neutralized. The verse highlights effective agency—strength guided by duty—turning disruptive intentions into futility.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśaṃpāyana narrates that Arjuna (Kirīṭī), renowned for his prowess, thwarted the opposing party’s intention, making their plan fail.