Shloka 6

अध्याय ६० — कर्णस्य पाञ्चाल-सोमक-निग्रहः

Karna’s Suppression of the Panchala–Somaka Forces

Devanagari script

प्रत्युद्ययुस्तु राधेयं पाण्डवानां महारथा: । धुन्वाना: कार्मुकाण्याजौ विक्षिपन्तश्नव सायकान्‌

Transliteration

pratyudyayus tu rādheyaṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ mahārathāḥ | dhunvānāḥ kārmukāṇy ājau vikṣipantaś ca sāyakān ||

Translation

Sañjaya said: Then the great chariot-warriors of the Pāṇḍavas advanced to meet Rādheya (Karna). Shaking their bows on the battlefield, they moved forward while scattering volleys of arrows.

Word by Word

• प्रत्युद्ययुः: advanced forth / marched out against
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रति-उद्-या (धातु: या)
• Form: लिट् (परस्मैपद), perfect (narrative past), 3, plural

• तु: but / indeed
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु

• राधेयम्: Radha's son (Karna)
• राधेयम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: राधेय
• Form: masculine, accusative, singular

• पाण्डवानाम्: of the Pandavas
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाण्डव
• Form: masculine, genitive, plural

• महारथाः: great chariot-warriors
• महारथाः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: महारथ
• Form: masculine, nominative, plural

• धुन्वानाः: shaking / brandishing
• Type: Verb
• Root: धुन्वत् (धातु: धुन्)
• Form: शतृ (वर्तमान कृदन्त), parasmaipada sense (active), masculine, nominative, plural

• कार्मुकाणि: bows
• कार्मुकाणि: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: कार्मुक
• Form: neuter, accusative, plural

• आजौ: in battle
• आजौ: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: आजि
• Form: masculine, locative, singular

• विक्षिपन्तः: hurling / shooting forth
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-क्षिपत् (धातु: क्षिप्)
• Form: शतृ (वर्तमान कृदन्त), active, masculine, nominative, plural

• सायकान्: arrows
• सायकान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: सायक
• Form: masculine, accusative, plural

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sanjaya
• Radheya (Karna)
• Pandavas
• mahāratha (great chariot-warriors)
• kārmuka (bows)
• sāyaka (arrows)
• āja (battlefield)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores the kshatriya ideal of meeting a challenge directly: when confronted by a formidable opponent, the Pandava warriors respond with disciplined readiness and courage. Ethically, it reflects the grim framework of dharma-yuddha where warriors, bound by role-duty, engage without retreat when battle is joined.

What is happening in the narrative?

As Karna (Radheya) stands as the opposing champion, the Pandavas’ great chariot-fighters advance to face him. They brandish their bows and unleash arrows while moving forward, signaling the opening of a direct engagement against Karna.