Shloka 73

Devanagari script

भड़क्त्वा शूलं गदाग्रेण गदायुद्धविशारद:

Transliteration

bhaḍaktvā śūlaṃ gadāgreṇa gadāyuddhaviśāradaḥ

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: Skilled in the art of mace-combat, he struck and shattered the spear with the very tip of his mace—showing how disciplined training and presence of mind can overcome even a deadly weapon in the heat of battle.

Word by Word

• भडक्त्वा: having struck / having smitten
• Type: Verb
• Root: भड् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (absolutive/gerund)

• शूलम्: a spear, pike, trident-like weapon
• शूलम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूल
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• गदाग्रेण: with the tip/head of the mace
• गदाग्रेण: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: गदाग्र
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• गदायुद्धविशारदः: skilled/expert in mace-fighting
• गदायुद्धविशारदः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गदायुद्धविशारद
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• śūla (spear)
• gadā (mace)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights that mastery (viśāradatā) and composure in conflict can neutralize grave threats; skill guided by alertness can prevail over brute danger.

What is happening in the narrative?

In a combat scene narrated by Vaiśampāyana, a warrior renowned for mace-fighting breaks an opponent’s spear by striking it with the mace’s tip, demonstrating technical superiority in weapons-play.