Shloka 633

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

Devanagari script

मार्गाश्न चरतश्षित्रं व्यस्मयन्त रणे जना: । वे बार-बार उछलते

Transliteration

sañjaya uvāca | mārgāś ca carataś citraṃ vyasmayanta raṇe janāḥ |

Translation

Sañjaya said: As he moved about the battlefield, displaying strange and varied maneuvers and rapid changes of course, the people in the fight were filled with astonishment. Seeing the renowned Bhīmasena’s prowess—leaping again and again, rushing in every direction, and exhibiting extraordinary tactics—onlookers marveled at his martial energy amid the righteous yet devastating work of war.

Word by Word

• मार्गान्: paths/ways
• मार्गान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: मार्ग
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• आशु: quickly
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आशु

• चरतः: of (him) moving/roaming
• Type: Verb
• Root: चर्
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ), Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• चित्रम्: wonderful/strange (feat)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चित्र
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• विस्मयन्ते: were amazed / marvel
• Type: Verb
• Root: विस्मि
• Form: Present, Atmanepada, Third, Plural

• रणे: in battle
• रणे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: रण
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• जनाः: people
• जनाः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: जन
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Bhīmasena
• raṇa (battlefield)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the awe inspired by disciplined martial prowess in a dharmic war: extraordinary strength and skill, when aligned with one’s warrior duty, becomes a visible force that shapes morale and perception on the battlefield.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya describes Bhīmasena moving through the battlefield with striking, unusual maneuvers—changing directions, surging along different courses—so that the warriors and onlookers are repeatedly astonished by his power and tactics.