Shloka 20

Devanagari script

तस्य विक्षिपतश्षापं रथे विष्टभ्य तिछत:

Transliteration

tasya vikṣipataḥ śāpaṃ rathe viṣṭabhya tiṣṭhataḥ

Translation

Sañjaya said: Standing firm upon his chariot, bracing himself, he warded off the curse being hurled at him—remaining steady amid the turmoil of battle and the moral weight of hostile imprecations.

Word by Word

• तस्य: of him/its
• तस्य: Sambandha
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive, Singular

• विक्षिपतः: of (him) who was hurling/scattering
• विक्षिपतः: Sambandha
• Type: Verb-derived (present participle)
• Root: वि-क्षिप्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive, Singular, Present active (शतृ)

• शापम्: curse
• शापम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: शाप
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• रथे: in/on the chariot
• रथे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• विष्टभ्य: having propped/steadied (himself/it)
• विष्टभ्य: Karana
• Type: Verb-derived (absolutive)
• Root: वि-स्तभ्
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्यय (ल्यप्), Parasmaipada (usage)

• तिष्ठतः: of (him) standing
• तिष्ठतः: Sambandha
• Type: Verb-derived (present participle)
• Root: स्था
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive, Singular, Present active (शतृ)

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• ratha (chariot)
• śāpa (curse)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Even amid warfare, words and intentions (such as curses) are treated as morally potent; the verse highlights steadiness and self-control—standing firm and not being destabilized by hostile speech or malice.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya describes a warrior who, while remaining stationed on his chariot, braces himself and counters or withstands a curse being cast against him, emphasizing composure under attack.