Shloka 28

Devanagari script

श्येनवद्‌ व्यचरद्‌ भीम: खड्गेन गदया तथा

Transliteration

śyenavad vyacarad bhīmaḥ khaḍgena gadayā tathā

Translation

Sañjaya said: Bhīma moved about like a hawk—swift and predatory—wielding his sword and likewise his mace.

Word by Word

• श्येनवत्: like a hawk
• श्येनवत्: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: श्येन + वत्
• Form: Avyaya (upamā-arthaka; indeclinable)

• व्यचरद्: moved about / ranged
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + चर्
• Form: Imperfect (laṅ), Parasmaipada, 3rd person singular

• भीमः: Bhima
• भीमः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीम
• Form: Masculine, nominative, singular

• खड्गेन: with a sword
• खड्गेन: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: खड्ग
• Form: Masculine, instrumental, singular

• गदया: with a mace
• गदया: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: गदा
• Form: Feminine, instrumental, singular

• तथा: also / likewise
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा
• Form: Avyaya

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Bhīma
• khaḍga (sword)
• gadā (mace)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights disciplined martial energy: Bhīma’s power is portrayed as swift, focused, and effective. In the Mahābhārata’s ethical landscape, such prowess is not celebrated in isolation but framed within the grave context of dharma-tested warfare, where action has consequences even when undertaken as duty.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya describes Bhīma’s movements on the battlefield: he ranges about rapidly, attacking with both sword and mace, compared to a hawk’s quick, decisive motion.