Shloka 21

Daiva–Puruṣakāra Discourse and the Elephant-Corps Engagement (भीमगजानीक-सम्भ्रान्ति)

Devanagari script

त॑ दृष्टवा विरथं तत्र भीमसेनमरिंदमम्‌

Transliteration

taṁ dṛṣṭvā virathaṁ tatra bhīmasenam arindamam

Translation

Sañjaya said: Seeing Bhīmasena there, deprived of his chariot yet still a formidable subduer of foes, the scene underscored that in war true strength is tested not by equipment but by steadfast courage amid sudden reversals.

Word by Word

• तत्: him/that (person)
• तत्: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश्
• Form: क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral for gerund), Non-finite

• विरथम्: without a chariot, chariotless
• विरथम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विरथ
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र

• भीमसेनम्: Bhimasena (Bhima)
• भीमसेनम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीमसेन
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• अरिंदमम्: crusher of foes
• अरिंदमम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अरिंदम
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Bhīmasena (Bhīma)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights resilience and kṣatriya valor: even when external supports like a chariot are lost, a warrior’s true mettle is shown by unwavering courage and continued readiness to face adversity.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that Bhīma is seen on the battlefield in a ‘viratha’ state—without his chariot—yet described as ‘arindama,’ emphasizing that despite this setback he remains a fearsome opponent.