Shloka 163

Devanagari script

बद्धासय: पाशहस्ता वारणप्रतिवारणा: । उन्होंने अनेक प्रकारके रंगीन वस्त्र पहन रखे थे और अपने अंगोंमें सुगन्धित चूर्ण लगा रखा था। उनकी कमरमें तलवार बँधी थी, वे हाथमें पाश लिये हुए थे और हाथियोंको भी रोक देनेकी शक्ति रखते थे

Transliteration

baddhāśayāḥ pāśahastā vāraṇaprativāraṇāḥ |

Translation

Sañjaya said: They were resolute and disciplined in purpose, holding nooses in their hands, and possessed the strength and skill to restrain even elephants.

Word by Word

• बद्धासयः: having restrained/controlled intentions (self-controlled)
• बद्धासयः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बद्ध-आशय
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• पाशहस्ताः: having nooses in their hands
• पाशहस्ताः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पाश-हस्त
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• वारणप्रतिवारणाः: capable of repelling/holding back elephants
• वारणप्रतिवारणाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वारण-प्रतिवारण
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• pāśa (noose)
• vāraṇa (elephant)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights disciplined resolve and controlled strength: power in war is not only destructive but also administrative and coercive—trained to restrain, capture, and enforce order. Ethically, it points to how royal warfare relies on organized force capable of subduing even the mightiest beings.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya is describing a group of formidable men—equipped with nooses and renowned for their ability to restrain even elephants—emphasizing their readiness and capacity for forceful control within the war setting.