Shloka 11

Gṛdhra–Jambuka Saṃvāda (Dialogue of the Vulture and the Jackal) — On Grief, Kāla, and Resolve

Devanagari script

चित्रमाल्याम्बरधरं सर्वाभरणभूषितम्‌

Transliteration

citramālyāmbaradharaṃ sarvābharaṇabhūṣitam

Translation

Bhīṣma said: “(He was) clad in a garment and garlands of variegated beauty, and adorned with every kind of ornament.”

Word by Word

• चित्रमाल्या-अम्बर-धरम्: wearing a variegated garland and garments
• चित्रमाल्या-अम्बर-धरम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चित्रमाल्या + अम्बर + धर
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• सर्व-अभरण-भूषितम्: adorned with all ornaments
• सर्व-अभरण-भूषितम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व + अभरण + भूषित
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• garlands (mālya)
• garments (ambara)
• ornaments/jewelry (ābharaṇa)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse uses auspicious adornment as a narrative marker of excellence: outer order, beauty, and completeness of ornaments symbolically reflect inner merit, dignity, and the presence of dharmic power or sanctity.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma is describing a figure’s appearance—wearing splendid garlands and garments and fully ornamented—setting a reverential tone and highlighting the figure’s elevated status or auspicious presence within the discourse of Śānti Parva.