Shloka 47

अध्याय १ — न्यग्रोधवनोपवेशनम् तथा द्रौणिनिश्चयः

Night at the Banyan and Drauṇi’s Resolve

Devanagari script

बलवन्त: कृतोत्साहा: प्राप्तलक्ष्या: प्रहारिण: । 'पाण्डव इस समय विजयसे उल्लसित हो रहे हैं। वे बलवान, उत्साही और प्रहार करनेमें कुशल हैं। उन्हें अपना लक्ष्य प्राप्त हो गया है। ऐसी अवस्थामें आज मैं अपनी शक्तिसे उनका वध नहीं कर सकता ।।

Transliteration

balavantaḥ kṛtotsāhāḥ prāptalakṣyāḥ prahāriṇaḥ |

Translation

Sañjaya said: “They are mighty, their resolve is fully roused, they have attained their aim, and they are skilled in striking. At this moment the Pāṇḍavas are exulting in victory; in such a condition, I cannot slay them today by my own power.”

Word by Word

• बलवन्तः: strong, powerful
• बलवन्तः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बलवत्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• कृतोत्साहाः: having made (their) effort; resolute/energetic
• कृतोत्साहाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृतोत्साह
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• प्राप्तलक्ष्याः: having attained the goal; successful
• प्राप्तलक्ष्याः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्राप्तलक्ष्य
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• प्रहारिणः: strikers; skilled at attacking
• प्रहारिणः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रहारिन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Pāṇḍavāḥ (the Pāṇḍavas)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores sober discernment in war: when opponents are strong, motivated, and successful, mere personal confidence is insufficient. It highlights the ethical and practical necessity of recognizing limits and the real conditions on the ground rather than acting from pride or rashness.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya describes the Pāṇḍavas as powerful and elated after achieving their objective, emphasizing their readiness and effectiveness in combat. He conveys that, given their present advantage and vigor, they cannot be easily slain by individual effort.