Shloka 26

Devanagari script

एते परिघसंकाशा: पुण्यगन्धानुलेपना: । उद्धता रणशूराणां पात्यन्ते सायुधा भुजा:,“रणवीरोंकी ये अस्त्र-शस्त्रोंसहित उठी हुई भुजाएँ, जो परिघोंके समान मोटी तथा पवित्र सुगन्धयुक्त चन्दनसे चर्चित हैं, काटकर गिरायी जा रही हैं

Transliteration

ete parighasaṅkāśāḥ puṇyagandhānulepanāḥ | uddhatā raṇaśūrāṇāṃ pātyante sāyudhā bhujāḥ ||

Translation

These arms of heroic warriors—raised high in battle, thick like iron clubs, and anointed with sandal-paste of sacred fragrance—are being hewn down and made to fall, still bearing their weapons.

Word by Word

एतेthese

परिघसंकाशाःresembling iron clubs/bars

पुण्यगन्धानुलेपनाःsmeared with fragrant (holy) unguents

उद्धताःupraised, lifted

रणशूराणाम्of the battle-heroes

पात्यन्तेare being felled / made to fall

सायुधाःwith weapons

भुजाःarms

Speaker

अजुन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Arjuna

arms (bhujāḥ)

weapons (āyudha)

parigha (iron club/bar)

fragrant anointing/sandal paste (puṇyagandhānulepana)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the stark reality and ethical gravity of war: even mighty, honored warriors—adorned and prepared according to noble custom—are reduced to severed limbs and falling weapons. Valor and outward sanctity do not negate the suffering produced by violence.

What is happening in the narrative?

Arjuna is describing the battlefield scene where the raised arms of brave fighters are being cut down. The imagery emphasizes their strength (like iron clubs) and their ceremonial anointing, while showing their sudden destruction amid combat.