Shloka 35

Devanagari script

हस्तलाघवमस्त्रेषु दर्शयन्तौ महाबलौ

Transliteration

hastalāghavam astreṣu darśayantau mahābalau

Translation

Sañjaya said: The two mighty warriors displayed remarkable dexterity of hand in the use of weapons—showing, in the midst of battle, the trained mastery that makes war both formidable and morally weighty.

Word by Word

• हस्तलाघवम्: dexterity of hand; sleight of hand
• हस्तलाघवम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: हस्तलाघव
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• अस्त्रेषु: in weapons; in the use of weapons
• अस्त्रेषु: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्त्र
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Plural

• दर्शयन्तौ: showing; displaying
• दर्शयन्तौ: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश्
• Form: शतृ (present active participle), Masculine, Nominative, Dual

• महाबलौ: two very strong (men/warriors)
• महाबलौ: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाबल
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• two mighty warriors (unnamed in this pāda)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights disciplined mastery (hastalāghava) in the use of weapons. In the Mahābhārata’s ethical frame, such skill is admirable as a kṣatriya accomplishment, yet it also intensifies the gravity of war: excellence in violence increases responsibility for how that power is used.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya describes a battle scene in which two powerful fighters are actively demonstrating superior weapon-handling and tactical agility, emphasizing the intensity and high level of martial expertise on the battlefield.