Shloka 28

Devanagari script

व्यूढोरस्कौ दीर्घभुजौ नियुद्धकुशलावुभौ । बाहुभि: समसज्जेतामायसै: परिघैरिव,दोनोंकी छाती चौड़ी और भुजाएँ बड़ी-बड़ी थीं। दोनों ही मल्लयुद्धमें कुशल थे और लोहेकी परिघ-जैसी मोटी भुजाओंको भिड़ाकर आपसमें गुँथ जाते थे

Transliteration

vyūḍhoraskau dīrghabhujau niyuddhakuśalāv ubhau | bāhubhiḥ samasajjetām āyasaiḥ parighair iva ||

Translation

Both had broad, well-built chests and long, powerful arms. Skilled in close combat and wrestling, they locked onto each other, their arms clashing and entwining like iron clubs—an image that underscores the raw force and disciplined training driving the contest.

Word by Word

व्यूढोरस्कौhaving broad/expanded chests

दीर्घभुजौlong-armed

नियुद्धकुशलौskilled in wrestling/close combat

उभौboth

बाहुभिःwith (their) arms

समसज्जेताम्they engaged/closed in (with each other)

आयसैःiron (made of iron)

परिघैःwith iron bars/bolts (clubs)

इवlike/as if

Speaker

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच

Characters & Entities

Śrīkṛṣṇa

bāhu (arms)

parigha (iron club/bar)

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 is primarily descriptive rather than doctrinal: it highlights how trained prowess and physical discipline manifest in combat. Ethically, it frames the encounter as a contest of strength and skill, emphasizing controlled engagement (niyuddha) rather than chaotic violence.

What is happening in the narrative?

Two formidable fighters—broad-chested and long-armed—engage in hand-to-hand combat. They grapple tightly, their arms compared to iron clubs, conveying the intensity and power of the struggle.