Shloka 163

Devanagari script

एवं कुर्यान्नरो यो हि स वै संजय पूजित: । “संजय! जो अपने तेजसे तप रहा हो

Transliteration

evaṁ kuryān naro yo hi sa vai saṁjaya pūjitaḥ |

Translation

Sañjaya said: “O Sanjaya, the man who behaves in this manner is truly worthy of honor. For when an enemy is blazing with prowess, attended by royal fortune, and standing amid his supporting kinsmen and allies, it is only the truly valiant who can deal with him as prescribed. What greatness is there in striking one who is already slain?”

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus, in this manner
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम्

• कुर्यात्: should do
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ
• Form: Vidhi-linga, optative (potential), 3, singular, Parasmaipada

• नरः: a man
• नरः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

• यः: who
• यः: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: यद्
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

• हि: indeed, for
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि

• सः: he
• सः: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

• वै: indeed, surely
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै

• संजय: O Sanjaya
• Type: Noun
• Root: संजय
• Form: masculine, vocative, singular

• पूजितः: honored, revered
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पूजित
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular, past passive participle (kta), पूज्

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sanjaya

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

True honor in battle lies in confronting a formidable, fully capable opponent—one supported by power, fortune, and allies—rather than seeking glory by striking someone already defeated; valor is measured by fairness and courage, not by easy violence.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sanjaya comments on proper warrior conduct, praising the man who follows the stated code of engagement against a strong enemy and dismissing as meaningless any boast of attacking one who is already as good as dead.