Shloka 19

Kailāsa-darśana, Badarī-vāsa, and Sarasvatī–Dvaitavana Transition (कैलासदर्शन–बदरीवास–सरस्वतीद्वैतवनगमनम्)

Devanagari script

ते मामालक्ष्य दैतेया विचित्रा भरणाम्बरा: समुत्पेतुर्महावेगा रथानास्थाय दंशिता:,मुझे देखते ही विचित्र वस्त्राभूषणोंसे विभूषित वे दैत्य कवच पहनकर अपने रथोंपर जा बैठे और बड़े वेगसे मेरे ऊपर टूट पड़े

Transliteration

te mām ālakṣya daiteyā vicitrābharaṇāmbarāḥ samutpetur mahāvegā rathān āsthāya daṃśitāḥ

Translation

Arjuna said: “The Daityas, adorned with variegated ornaments and garments, caught sight of me. Armoured and mounted upon their chariots, they sprang forward with great speed and rushed to attack me.”

Word by Word

तेthey (those)

माम्me

आलक्ष्यhaving noticed/seen

दैतेयाःDaityas (sons of Diti; demons)

विचित्राःvariegated, splendid

भरणाम्बराःwearing ornaments and garments

समुत्पेतुःthey sprang up / rushed forth

महावेगाःof great speed/impetuosity

रथान्chariots

आस्थायhaving mounted / having taken (their seats)

दंशिताःarmed/accoutred; clad in armor

Speaker

अजुन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Arjuna

Daityas

chariots

armor

ornaments

garments

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the ethical demand of kṣatriya-dharma: when confronted by aggression, one must remain alert, composed, and ready to protect oneself and uphold order. External splendor (ornaments, fine garments) does not lessen the reality of violence; discernment and preparedness are essential.

What is happening in the narrative?

Arjuna reports that the Daityas, noticing him, quickly arm themselves, mount their chariots, and charge at him with great speed, initiating a direct combat encounter.