Shloka 53

Devanagari script

सो5तिविद्धो रणे भीम: शरं रुक्मविभूषितम्‌

Transliteration

so’tividdho raṇe bhīmaḥ śaraṃ rukmavibhūṣitam

Translation

Sañjaya said: In the thick of battle, Bhīma was pierced through by a golden-ornamented arrow. Such is war: even the mightiest must endure pain and stand steadfast amid relentless violence.

Word by Word

• सः: he
• सः: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• अतिविद्धः: pierced through / severely wounded
• अतिविद्धः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अतिविद्ध
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• रणे: in battle
• रणे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: रण
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• भीमः: Bhima
• भीमः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीम
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• शरम्: arrow
• शरम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: शर
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• रुक्मविभूषितम्: adorned with gold
• रुक्मविभूषितम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रुक्म-विभूषित
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Bhīma
• arrow (śara)
• golden ornamentation (rukma)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores the harsh reality of righteous warfare: strength does not exempt one from suffering, and a warrior’s dharma is tested through endurance, composure, and continued resolve amid injury.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that Bhīma, while fighting on the battlefield, is severely pierced by an arrow described as ornamented with gold—highlighting the intensity of the combat and the serious wounds being exchanged.