Shloka 17

Adhyāya 104 — Śikhaṇḍin-puraskāraḥ (Śikhaṇḍin as Vanguard) and Bhīṣma’s Counter-Advance

Devanagari script

संधारयाणश्न शरान्‌ हेमपुड्खान्‌ महाबल:ः

Transliteration

sandhārayāṇaś śarān hemapuṅkhān mahābalaḥ

Translation

Sañjaya said: The mighty warrior, bearing arrows with golden fletching, stood firm—his readiness for battle made visible in the very weapons he carried.

Word by Word

• संधारयाणः: holding up / bearing
• संधारयाणः: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: संधारयत् (संधारय् + शतृ)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• शरान्: arrows
• शरान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: शर
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• हेमपुङ्खान्: gold-feathered (with golden fletching)
• हेमपुङ्खान्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हेमपुङ्ख
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

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

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• arrows (śara)
• golden fletching (hemapuṅkha)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores the kṣatriya ideal of steadfast preparedness: strength is shown not merely in aggression but in disciplined readiness and the capacity to uphold one’s role amid the moral gravity of war.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya describes a powerful combatant on the battlefield, emphasizing his martial readiness by noting that he bears arrows distinguished by golden fletching—an image of elite weaponry and formidable presence.