Shloka 45

Devanagari script

यदि वाद्य भवान्‌ युद्धे सूतपुत्रमुखान्‌ रथान्‌

Transliteration

yadi vādya bhavān yuddhe sūtaputramukhān rathān

Translation

Sañjaya said: “If, in battle, you (choose to) sound the war-instruments and confront the chariots led by the charioteer’s son (Karna) and his foremost allies…”

Word by Word

• यदि: if
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यदि

• वाद्य: to be spoken/said (one who should speak)
• वाद्य: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वाद्य
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• भवान्: you (honorific)
• भवान्: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: भवत्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• युद्धे: in battle
• युद्धे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: युद्ध
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• सूतपुत्रमुखान्: having the charioteer’s son (Karna) as foremost
• सूतपुत्रमुखान्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सूतपुत्रमुख
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• रथान्: chariots
• रथान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Karṇa (Sūtaputra)
• chariots (rathāḥ)
• war-instruments/drums (vādya)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The line frames a conditional counsel: before engaging a formidable enemy led by Karṇa, one must weigh resolve, preparedness, and the ethical burden of initiating or escalating combat.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya, narrating events to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, introduces a conditional scenario about entering battle against the chariot-warriors led by Karṇa, setting up advice or consequences that follow in the surrounding verses.