Shloka 18

Bhīmasena’s Digvijaya and Tribute Return (भीमस्य दिग्विजयः धननिवेदनं च)

Devanagari script

तत्त्रिगर्ता: कौन्तेयं दार्वा: कोकनदास्तथा । क्षत्रिया बहवो राजन्नुपावर्तन्त सर्वश:,तदनन्तर त्रिगर्त, दार्व और कोकनद आदि बहुत-से क्षत्रियनरेशशण सब ओरसे कुन्तीनन्दन अर्जुनकी शरणमें आये

Transliteration

tat trigartāḥ kaunteyaṁ dārvāḥ kokanadās tathā | kṣatriyā bahavo rājann upāvartanta sarvaśaḥ ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: Then the Trigartas, the Dārvās, and the Kokanadas as well—many Kṣatriya warriors, O King, from every side—turned back and came to seek refuge with Arjuna, the son of Kuntī.

Word by Word

तत्then/that (thereupon)

त्रिगर्ताःthe Trigartas

कौन्तेयम्Kunti's son (Arjuna)

दार्वाःthe Darvas

कोकनदाःthe Kokanadas

तथाand also/likewise

क्षत्रियाःkshatriyas (warriors)

बहवःmany

राजन्O king

उपावर्तन्तreturned/turned back; came over (to seek refuge)

सर्वशःfrom all sides; in every way

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Arjuna (Kaunteya)

Trigartas

Dārvās

Kokanadas

Kṣatriyas

the King (rājan, addressed listener)

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 how, in times of instability, rulers and warriors gravitate toward a protector whose strength and perceived righteousness inspire confidence. Ethically, it points to the dharmic dimension of allegiance: seeking shelter is not merely fear-driven but also a recognition of legitimate protection and leadership.

What is happening in the narrative?

Various warrior groups—Trigartas, Dārvās, and Kokanadas—along with many other Kṣatriyas, come from all directions and place themselves under Arjuna’s protection, indicating a consolidation of support around him.