Shloka 32

अलंबलवधः (Alaṃbala-vadhaḥ) / The Slaying of Alaṃbala and the Advance toward Karṇa

Devanagari script

एवमुक्तो महाबाहु: केशव: सव्यसाचिना

Transliteration

evam ukto mahābāhuḥ keśavaḥ savyasācinā

Translation

Sañjaya said: “Thus addressed by Arjuna, the mighty-armed Keśava (Kṛṣṇa) was called upon to respond.”

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम्

• उक्तः: having been spoken to / addressed
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular, क्त (past passive participle)

• महाबाहुः: the mighty-armed one
• महाबाहुः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाबाहु
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• केशवः: Keshava (Krishna)
• केशवः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: केशव
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• सव्यसाचिना: by Savyasācin (Arjuna)
• सव्यसाचिना: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: सव्यसाचिन्
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Keśava (Kṛṣṇa)
• Savyasācin (Arjuna)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the ethical structure of the epic: a warrior does not act merely from impulse but seeks guidance rooted in dharma. Arjuna’s addressing of Keśava signals reliance on wise counsel and disciplined judgment in the midst of violence.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya narrates that Arjuna (Savyasācin) has spoken to Kṛṣṇa (Keśava), described as mighty-armed, setting up Kṛṣṇa’s response. It functions as a transition line marking a dialogue within the battlefield narrative.