Shloka 216

कृष्णोपदेशः, अर्जुनस्य क्षमा-याचनम्, कर्णवध-अनुज्ञा

Krishna’s Counsel, Arjuna’s Apology, and Authorization for Karṇa’s Slaying

Devanagari script

भीमसेनरथं प्राप्पय समसज्जन्त वेगिता: । महाराज! मद्रराजके हाँके हुए वे घोड़े बड़े वेगसे भीमसेनके रथके पास जाकर उनसे सट गये

Transliteration

bhīmasenarathaṃ prāpya samasajjanta vegitāḥ | mahārāja! madrarājakaiḥ hāṅke huye te ghoḍāḥ baḍe vegena bhīmasenasya rathasya pāsa jākar unse saṭ gaye |

Translation

Sañjaya said: O King, urged on by the ruler of Madra, the horses, driven at great speed, reached Bhīmasena’s chariot and pressed close against it.

Word by Word

• भीमसेनरथम्: Bhimasena's chariot
• भीमसेनरथम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीमसेन-रथ
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• प्राप्य: having reached
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-आप्
• Form: क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral here)

• सम्: together/close (as preverb)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सम्

• असज्जन्त: they clung/pressed close
• Type: Verb
• Root: सञ्ज्/सज् (सज्जते)
• Form: Imperfect (Laṅ), 3rd, Plural, Atmanepada

• वेगिताः: swift/impetuous
• वेगिताः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वेगित
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Dhṛtarāṣṭra
• Bhīmasena
• Madrarāja (Śalya)
• horses
• chariot

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

In the ethics of epic warfare, mastery of the chariot—control of horses, speed, and positioning—can decide encounters as much as personal valor. The verse highlights how deliberate, forceful approach is used to compel close combat, underscoring the responsibility and skill of the charioteer in shaping outcomes.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the horses, driven on by the king of Madra (Śalya), surge forward and bring the chariot into tight proximity with Bhīmasena’s chariot, setting up immediate, close-range engagement.