Shloka 18

Droṇa Encircled at Night: Coalition Advance and Battlefield Omens (द्रोणपर्यावरणं रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)

Devanagari script

पीतरक्तासितसितैरवासोभिश्न सुवेष्टित:

Transliteration

pītaraktāsitasitair avāsobhiḥ suveṣṭitaḥ

Translation

Sañjaya said: He was tightly wrapped in garments of yellow, red, black, and white—his appearance carefully arranged amid the grim theatre of war, where outward signs and colors often signal allegiance, resolve, or ritual intent.

Word by Word

• पीत: with yellow (garments)
• पीत: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पीत
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• रक्त: with red (garments)
• रक्त: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रक्त
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• असित: with black (garments)
• असित: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: असित
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• सितैः: with white (garments)
• सितैः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सित
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• वासोभिः: with garments/robes
• वासोभिः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: वासस्
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• नु: indeed/now (emphatic particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नु

• सुवेष्टितः: well-wrapped/fully covered
• सुवेष्टितः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु-वेष्टित
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how external markers—colors, dress, and deliberate presentation—carry meaning in epic warfare, where identity, intention, and psychological impact are communicated not only through deeds but also through visible signs.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya describes a figure on the battlefield as being closely wrapped in garments of multiple colors (yellow, red, black, and white), emphasizing a striking, intentional appearance within the unfolding combat scene.