Shloka 39

धृष्टद्युम्नस्य द्रोणरथारोহণं सात्यकेः प्रतिरक्षणं च | Dhrishtadyumna Boards Droṇa’s Chariot; Sātyaki’s Counter-Protection

Devanagari script

सुकुमार: सदा वीरो महाहशयनोचित:

Transliteration

sukumāraḥ sadā vīro mahāhayanocitaḥ

Translation

Sañjaya said: “Though delicate in appearance, he was ever a hero—one fit for the great chariot-warrior’s station.”

Word by Word

• सुकुमारः: delicate, tender (yet refined)
• सुकुमारः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुकुमार
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• सदा: always
• सदा: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सदा

• वीरः: hero, brave man
• वीरः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• महाशयन-उचितः: fit for a great bed (i.e., of high/royal comfort)
• महाशयन-उचितः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाशयन-उचित
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

True worth is measured by steadfast courage and fitness for duty, not by outward softness or delicacy; the verse praises inner valor aligned with a warrior’s role.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya offers a brief character-description within the war report, highlighting that the person being spoken of—despite a gentle appearance—consistently displayed heroic bravery and was worthy of the foremost chariot-fighter’s rank.