Shloka 19

Arjuna–Bhīṣma Strategic Engagement and Mutual Arrow-Interdiction (भीष्मार्जुनसमागमः)

Devanagari script

धार्तराष्ट्रान्‌ प्रतिययुरर्दयन्त: शितै: शरै: । वजैरिव महावेगै: शिखराणि धराभूताम्‌,तदनन्तर द्रौपदीके पाँचों पुत्र, महारथी अभिमन्यु, नकुल, सहदेव तथा ट्रुपदपुत्र धृष्टद्युम्न--ये सभी योद्धा वज्जके समान महान्‌ वेगशाली तीक्ष्ण बाणोंद्वारा पर्वत-शिखरोंकी भाँति धृतराष्ट्रपुत्रोंको पीड़ा देते हुए उनपर चढ़ आये

Transliteration

sañjaya uvāca | dhārtarāṣṭrān pratiyayur ardayantaḥ śitaiḥ śaraiḥ | vajrair iva mahāvegaiḥ śikharāṇi dharābhūtām ||

Translation

Sañjaya said: Then they surged against the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, tormenting them with sharp arrows—like swift thunderbolts striking mountain-peaks.

Word by Word

• धार्तराष्ट्रान्: the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra
• धार्तराष्ट्रान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: धार्तराष्ट्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• प्रतिययुः: went against / advanced upon
• प्रतिययुः: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (Liṭ), 3rd, Plural, Parasmaipada

• अर्दयन्तः: tormenting / afflicting
• अर्दयन्तः: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्द् (धातु)
• Form: Present active participle (Śatṛ), Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• शितैः: with sharp
• शितैः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• शरैः: arrows
• शरैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: शर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• वज्रैः: with thunderbolts
• वज्रैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: वज्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• इव: as if / like
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव

• महावेगैः: with great speed / force
• महावेगैः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महावेग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• शिखराणि: peaks / summits
• शिखराणि: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिखर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Plural

• धराभूताम्: of the earth-born (mountains) / belonging to the earth
• धराभूताम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धराभूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Genitive, Plural

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons (Kauravas)
• arrows (śara)
• thunderbolt (vajra)
• mountain peaks (śikhara)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores kṣatriya-dharma in its battlefield form: decisive action, courage, and disciplined use of force against an opposing army in open combat, expressed through a vivid simile that conveys intensity without celebrating cruelty for its own sake.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports a forceful advance against the Kauravas: warriors press them with sharp, fast arrows, compared to thunderbolts striking mountain summits—signaling a powerful offensive in the battle sequence.