Shloka 18
Devanagari script
स हि वीरो महेष्वासो मित्राणाम भयंकर:
Transliteration
sa hi vīro maheṣvāso mitrāṇām bhayaṅkaraḥ
Translation
Dhṛtarāṣṭra says: “For he is truly a hero, a mighty archer—one who becomes a source of dread to the enemies of his allies.”
Word by Word
सःhe
सः:
Karta
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
हिindeed/for
हि:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootहि
वीरःhero/warrior
वीरः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootवीर
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
महेष्वासःgreat archer (lit. one having a great bow)
महेष्वासः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootमहेष्वास
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
मित्राणाम्of (his) friends/allies
मित्राणाम्:
TypeNoun
Rootमित्र
FormNeuter, Genitive, Plural
भयङ्करःterrible; causing fear
भयङ्करः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootभयङ्कर
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
Speaker
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Characters & Entities
D
DhṛtarāṣṭraM
mitra (allies/friends)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
The verse frames heroic worth in martial terms: a true warrior is one whose skill and presence secure allies by making opposing forces fearful. It highlights how, in epic ethics, protection of one’s side and deterrence of enemies are central measures of kṣatriya prowess.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra is describing a formidable warrior in the Karṇa Parva context, emphasizing his bravery and exceptional archery, and noting that he inspires fear in those who threaten his allies.