Shloka 29

त्रिगर्त-मात्स्य-संग्रामः

The Trigarta–Matsya Engagement at Twilight

Devanagari script

तरस्विनश्छन्नरूपा: सर्वे युद्धविशारदा: । रथान्‌ हेमपरिच्छन्नानास्थाय च महारथा:

Transliteration

tarasvinaś channarūpāḥ sarve yuddhaviśāradāḥ | rathān hemaparicchannān āsthāya ca mahārathāḥ ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: Concealing their true identities, yet brimming with vigor, all of them were masters of warfare. Those great chariot-warriors mounted chariots adorned with gold and, together, set out at speed—following close behind Virāṭa.

Word by Word

• तरस्विनः: swift, vigorous
• तरस्विनः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तरस्विन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• छन्नरूपाः: having concealed forms (disguised)
• छन्नरूपाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: छन्नरूप
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• युद्धविशारदाः: skilled in warfare
• युद्धविशारदाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युद्धविशारद
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• रथान्: chariots
• रथान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• हेमपरिच्छन्नान्: covered/adorned with gold
• हेमपरिच्छन्नान्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हेमपरिच्छन्न
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• आस्थाय: having mounted/ascended
• आस्थाय: Karana
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-स्था
• Form: क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage as gerund)

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• महारथाः: great chariot-warriors
• महारथाः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: महारथ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Virāṭa
• mahārathāḥ (great chariot-warriors)
• rathāḥ (chariots)
• hema (gold)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights dharmic strategy: concealing one’s identity can be righteous when done to fulfill a vow and protect others, while maintaining readiness and competence to act decisively when duty calls.

What is happening in the narrative?

The disguised warriors—elite chariot-fighters—mount gold-adorned chariots and ride swiftly together, following King Virāṭa, indicating coordinated action in response to an impending conflict.