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Shloka 16

अर्जुनस्य दिग्विजयारम्भः — Arjuna Initiates the Northern Campaign and Secures Bhagadattta’s Tribute

तलेनाहन्यमानौ तु अन्योन्यं कृतवीक्षणौ । सिंहाविव सुसंक्रुद्धावाकृष्याकृष्य युध्यताम्‌,थप्पड़ोंकी मार खाकर वे परस्पर घूर-घूरकर देखते और अत्यन्त क्रोधमें भरे हुए दो सिंहोंके समान एक-दूसरेको खींच-खींचकर लड़ने लगे

talenāhanyamānau tu anyonyaṃ kṛtavīkṣaṇau | siṃhāv iva susaṃkruddhāv ākṛṣyākṛṣya yudhyatām ||

Though struck with the palms, they fixed their gaze on one another; and, like two lions inflamed with fierce anger, they grappled—dragging each other back and forth—and fought on.

तलेनwith the palm/hand
तलेन:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootतल
FormNeuter, Instrumental, Singular
आहन्यमानौbeing struck/beaten
आहन्यमानौ:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootआ-हन्
Formशानच् (present passive participle), Passive, Masculine, Nominative, Dual
तुbut/indeed
तु:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootतु
अन्योन्यम्each other, mutually
अन्योन्यम्:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअन्योन्य
कृतवीक्षणौhaving fixed their gaze (on each other)
कृतवीक्षणौ:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootकृत-वीक्षण
FormMasculine, Nominative, Dual
सिंहौtwo lions
सिंहौ:
TypeNoun
Rootसिंह
FormMasculine, Nominative, Dual
इवlike/as
इव:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootइव
सुसंक्रुद्धौhighly enraged
सुसंक्रुद्धौ:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootसु-संक्रुद्ध
FormMasculine, Nominative, Dual
आकृष्यhaving pulled/drawn
आकृष्य:
TypeVerb
Rootआ-कृष्
Formक्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund)
आकृष्यhaving pulled (again); pulling and pulling
आकृष्य:
TypeVerb
Rootआ-कृष्
Formक्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund)
युध्यताम्they two fight/engage in combat
युध्यताम्:
TypeVerb
Rootयुध्
Formलट्, आत्मनेपद, Third, Dual

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच

T
two combatants (unnamed in this verse)
P
palm/hand (tala)
L
lions (siṃha)

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights how anger (krodha) intensifies conflict: when opponents become 'like enraged lions,' they lose composure and the capacity for restraint. Ethically, it points to the need for self-control so that strength and competition do not devolve into destructive rage.

Two fighters, despite being struck with open palms, glare at each other and then grapple closely—pulling one another repeatedly—continuing the fight with the ferocity of enraged lions.