Shloka 16
Jarāsandha–Vāsudeva Saṃvāda: Kṣātra-Dharma, Pride, and the Ethics of Coercion
Sabhā Parva, Adhyāya 20
Devanagari script
सुप्रणीतो बलौघो हि कुरुते कार्यमुत्तमम् । अंध॑ बल॑ जडं प्राहु: प्रणेतव्यं विचक्षणै:
Translation
A great host, when well led, accomplishes the highest work. But without leadership it is called “blind and inert”; therefore an army should be directed only by the discerning and wise.
Word by Word
सुप्रणीतःwell-led, well-conducted
सुप्रणीतः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootसुप्रणीत (सु-प्र-नी + क्त)
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
बलौघःmass/host of troops
बलौघः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootबलौघ (बल + ओघ)
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
हिindeed, for
हि:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootहि
कुरुतेdoes, accomplishes
कुरुते:
TypeVerb
Rootकृ
FormPresent, Atmanepada, Third, Singular
कार्यम्task, work
कार्यम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootकार्य
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
उत्तमम्excellent, best
उत्तमम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootउत्तम
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
अन्धम्blind
अन्धम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootअन्ध
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
बलम्army, force
बलम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootबल
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
जडम्dull, inert
जडम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootजड
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
प्राहुःthey say, they call
प्राहुः:
TypeVerb
Rootप्र-आह् (आह्/अह्)
FormPerfect, Third, Plural
प्रणेतव्यम्to be led/commanded; should be led
प्रणेतव्यम्:
TypeAdjective
Rootप्र-नी + तव्यत्
FormNeuter, Nominative, Singular
विचक्षणैःby the discerning/wise (men)
विचक्षणैः:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootविचक्षण
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Plural
Speaker
युधिछिर उवाच
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
War Context
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Geographic Context
Meter (Chandas)
Sandhi Notes