Shloka 54

कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ५९

Arjuna Breaks the Encirclement; Bhīma Reinforces

Devanagari script

निकृत्यैतद्रथानीकं बलिनं लोकविश्रुतम्‌

Transliteration

nikṛtyaitad rathānīkaṃ balinaṃ lokaviśrutam

Translation

Sañjaya said: “Having thus overthrown this famed and powerful chariot-division—renowned throughout the world—the battle moved on with the grim momentum of war.”

Word by Word

• निकृत्य: having cut down / having destroyed
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि√कृत्
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), कर्तरि

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: एतद्
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• रथानीकम्: chariot-division / chariot-host
• रथानीकम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ + अनीक
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• बलिनम्: strong, powerful
• बलिनम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बलिन्
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• लोकविश्रुतम्: renowned in the world / world-famous
• लोकविश्रुतम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लोक + विश्रुत
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• rathānīka (chariot-corps/formation)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores the Mahābhārata’s recurring ethical tension: worldly fame and military strength (lokaviśruta, balin) are still vulnerable to the ruthless reversals of war. Renown does not guarantee protection; power is transient when driven into adharma-fueled destruction.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that a notable, powerful chariot-formation—famous for its strength—has been brought down in the ongoing battle. The line functions as a brief battlefield update, marking a turning point where an important unit is shattered.