Shloka 13

Drupada’s Alarm and Inquiry Regarding Śikhaṇḍinī (द्रुपदस्य भय-विमर्शः)

Devanagari script

अथ दाशार्णको राजा सहसाभ्यागमत्‌ तदा

Transliteration

atha dāśārṇako rājā sahasābhyāgamat tadā

Translation

Then, at that very moment, the king of Daśārṇa suddenly arrived.

Word by Word

• अथ: then/now
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ

• दाशार्णकः: the king of Daśārṇa (Daśārṇaka)
• दाशार्णकः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दाशार्णक
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• राजा: king
• राजा: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• सहसा: suddenly/quickly
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सहसा

• अभ्यागमत्: came/approached
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-आ-गम्
• Form: Imperfect (Laṅ), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• तदा: at that time/then
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• Daśārṇa
• King of Daśārṇa (Dāśārṇaka)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Even a brief narrative detail—like a sudden royal arrival—highlights how swiftly political and ethical situations can change, urging leaders to remain vigilant, adaptable, and grounded in dharma when new actors enter a dispute.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma reports that the king associated with Daśārṇa unexpectedly comes to the scene, indicating an immediate development that may influence the ongoing deliberations and power relations.