Shloka 10

Śaineya’s Breakthrough and Reunion with Arjuna (शैनेयस्य समागमः)

Devanagari script

बहुभि: पार्थिवैर्गुप्तमस्मत्प्रियचिकीर्षुभि: । अस्मानभिसृतै: कामात्‌ सबलै: सपदानुगै:

Transliteration

bahubhiḥ pārthivair guptam asmat-priya-cikīrṣubhiḥ | asmān abhisṛtaiḥ kāmāt sa-balaiḥ sa-padānugaiḥ ||

Translation

Sañjaya said: “Protected by many kings who were eager to do what was pleasing to us, they advanced upon us out of sheer desire—coming with their forces and with their followers close at their heels.”

Word by Word

बहुभिःby many

पार्थिवैःby kings

गुप्तम्guarded/protected

अस्मत्of us/our

प्रियwhat is dear (to us)

चिकीर्षुभिःby those wishing to do (it)

अस्मान्us

अभिसृतैःby those who have approached/advanced

कामात्out of desire/at will

सबलैःwith forces/with troops

सपदानुगैःwith followers/attendants (those who go after their steps)

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

स

संजय (Sañjaya)

प

पार्थिव (kings/rulers)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how kāma (desire/impulse) can become a primary driver of action in war: even ‘service’ to one’s side (doing what is pleasing) may mask passion-driven aggression. Ethically, it invites scrutiny of motives—whether loyalty is guided by discernment or by desire.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that a group, shielded by many kings intent on pleasing ‘us’ (the Kaurava side), advanced upon the opposing party with their troops and attendants. It depicts a coordinated approach/assault under strong protection and support.