Shloka 1636

त्रिगर्त-मात्स्य-संग्रामः

The Trigarta–Matsya Engagement at Twilight

Devanagari script

योत्स्यमाना अनहान्त देवरूपा: प्रहारिण: । इसी प्रकार सैकड़ों देवताओंके समान रूपवान्‌ महारथियोंने युद्धके लिये उद्यत हो अपने-अपने वैभवके अनुसार कवच पहन लिये। वे सब-के-सब प्रहार करनेमें कुशल थे

Transliteration

yo'tsyamānā anahānta devarūpāḥ prahāriṇaḥ | itī prakāraṃ saikṛḍoṃ devatā-samāna-rūpavān mahārathibhiḥ yuddhāya udyatya sva-sva-vaibhavānusāreṇa kavacāni paridhāya | te sarve prahāra-kauśalāḥ |

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: Arrayed for battle, unwearied and godlike in appearance, those mighty warriors—skilled in striking—rose up for combat. In the manner of hundreds of deities in splendor, each donned armor according to his own prowess and resources, all prepared to deliver blows with practiced mastery.

Word by Word

• योत्स्यमानाः: about to fight / fighting
• योत्स्यमानाः: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: युध्
• Form: शतृ (वर्तमानकालिक कर्तरि), पुं, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• अनहन्तः: unhurt / unstruck
• अनहन्तः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनहन्
• Form: पुं, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• देवरूपाः: having divine forms
• देवरूपाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: देवरूप
• Form: पुं, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• प्रहारिणः: strikers / attackers
• प्रहारिणः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रहारिन्
• Form: पुं, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• mahārathas (great warriors)
• kavaca (armor)
• devatās (gods, as a simile)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights disciplined preparedness and the warrior’s cultivated skill: strength is paired with readiness, proper equipment, and practiced competence. Ethically, it frames martial action as a serious, ordered undertaking rather than impulsive violence.

What is happening in the narrative?

The narrator describes many elite chariot-warriors rising for battle. They appear godlike in splendor, put on armor according to their individual means and status, and stand ready—each skilled at delivering blows.