Shloka 30

भीष्मधनंजयद्वैरथम्

Bhīṣma–Dhanaṃjaya Duel and the Opening Clash

Devanagari script

ततो द्रोणं महेष्वासं गाड़ेयस्य प्रिये रतम्‌

Transliteration

tato droṇaṃ maheṣvāsaṃ gāḍeyasya priye ratam

Translation

Then Sañjaya spoke of Droṇa, the great archer, as one steadfastly engaged in what was dear to Gāḍeya—showing Droṇa’s alignment with that figure and his active pursuit of the aims cherished by him amid the unfolding war.

Word by Word

• ततः: then, thereafter
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (तद्-प्रातिपदिकात् अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (तस्मात्/ततः = then/thereafter)

• द्रोणम्: Drona (as object)
• द्रोणम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रोण
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• महेष्वासम्: the great archer
• महेष्वासम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महेष्वास
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन (द्रोणम् इति विशेषणम्)

• गाडेयस्य: of Gādeya
• Type: Noun
• Root: गाडेय
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति, एकवचन

• प्रिये: in/with regard to what is dear (in the beloved matter)
• प्रिये: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रिय
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी विभक्ति, एकवचन

• रतम्: delighting in, devoted to
• रतम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रत
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन (द्रोणम् इति विशेषणम्); क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (√रम्)

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sanjaya
• Droṇa
• Gāḍeya

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The line foregrounds how a warrior’s conduct in war is shaped by allegiance and commitment—being 'rata' (devoted/engaged) in what is 'priya' (dear) to an associated leader or cause—raising ethical reflection on loyalty as a driving force in dharmic and adharmic outcomes.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sanjaya continues his battlefield narration by pointing out Droṇa, describing him as a mighty archer and indicating that he is actively engaged in pursuing what is dear to 'Gāḍeya', i.e., acting in alignment with that person’s favored aim or side in the conflict.