Shloka 18

अध्याय ८२ — केशवप्रयाणे निमित्तदर्शनम्

Omens and Reception During Keśava’s Departure

Devanagari script

सूपस्करमनाधुष्यं वैयाप्रपरिवारणम्‌ । यशोष्नं प्रत्यमित्राणां यदूनां नन्दिवर्धनम्‌,उसमें सब प्रकारकी आवश्यक सामग्री सुन्दर ढंगसे रखी गयी थी। उसपर व्याप्रचर्मका आवरण (पर्दा) शोभा पाता था। वह रथ शत्रुओंके लिये दुर्धर्ष तथा उनके सुयशका नाश करनेवाला था। साथ ही उससे यदुवंशियोंके आनन्दकी वृद्धि होती थी

Transliteration

sūpaskaram anādhuṣyaṁ vaiyāpraparivāraṇam | yaśoṣṇaṁ pratyamitrāṇāṁ yadūnāṁ nandivardhanam ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: The chariot was excellently equipped, furnished with all necessary implements, and was not to be assailed. It was covered with a protective hide-curtain. For hostile foes it was formidable, and it diminished the enemies’ pride and fame; yet for the Yādavas it became a cause for increased joy and confidence.

Word by Word

• {'sūpaskaram': 'well-equipped

• provided with fine implements and requisites', 'anādhuṣyam': 'unassailable

• not to be overpowered or violated', 'vaiyāpraparivāraṇam': 'having a covering/curtain of vyāghra-carma (tiger-hide) as a protective screen', 'yaśoṣṇam': 'that which dries up/withers fame (yaśas)

• fame-diminishing', 'pratyamitrāṇām': 'of/for the opposing enemies (hostile foes)', 'yadūnām': 'of the Yadus/Yādavas (the Yadu lineage)', 'nandivardhanam': 'increasing joy, delight, auspicious confidence'}

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• ratha (chariot)
• vyāghra-carma (tiger-hide covering/curtain)
• pratyamitra (enemies)
• Yadus/Yādavas

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights kṣātra-dharma in practice: proper preparation and protection in a just conflict strengthens one’s own side while checking the arrogance and influence of hostile forces. Power is portrayed as disciplined readiness rather than mere aggression.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana is describing a formidable chariot—well supplied, protected by a hide-curtain, and difficult for enemies to overcome—emphasizing its psychological and strategic impact: it undermines opponents’ renown while heartening the Yādavas.