Shloka 21

Saṃśaptakas in Candrārdha-vyūha; Arjuna’s Devadatta and the Traigarta Rout

Chapter 17

Devanagari script

नानाजनपदेभ्यश्व रथानामयुतं पुनः । समुत्थितं विशिष्टानां शपथार्थमुपागमत्‌,विभिन्न देशोंसे आये हुए दस हजार श्रेष्ठ महारथी भी वहाँ शपथ लेनेके लिये उठकर गये

Transliteration

nānā-janapadebhyaḥ aśva-rathānām ayutaṃ punaḥ | samutthitaṃ viśiṣṭānāṃ śapathārtham upāgamat ||

Translation

Sañjaya said: From many different realms, ten thousand distinguished warriors—masters of horse and chariot—rose again and went forward to take an oath.

Word by Word

• नाना: various, many kinds of
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नाना

• जनपदेभ्यः: from the kingdoms/countries
• जनपदेभ्यः: Apadana
• Type: Noun
• Root: जनपद
• Form: Masculine, Ablative, Plural

• अश्व: of horses
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्व
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Plural

• रथानाम्: of chariots
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Plural

• अयुतम्: a ten-thousand (a myriad)
• अयुतम्: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: अयुत
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• पुनः: again, further
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुनः

• समुत्थितम्: risen up, having arisen
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-उत्-स्था
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• विशिष्टानाम्: of the distinguished/excellent (ones)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विशिष्ट
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Plural

• शपथार्थम्: for the purpose of an oath
• Type: Noun
• Root: शपथार्थ
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• उपागमत्: went near, approached
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-गम्
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• janapadas (various realms/countries)
• aśva (horses)
• ratha (chariots)
• śapatha (oath)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

In the midst of war, a public oath functions as a moral and social bond: it fixes intention, creates accountability, and strengthens collective resolve. The verse highlights how vows are used to align many leaders under a shared commitment, intensifying the ethical weight of their actions.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that warriors who had come from many different regions—described as ten thousand distinguished fighters associated with horses and chariots—stood up and proceeded to take an oath, indicating a formal, organized reaffirmation of purpose within the army.