Shloka 12

Omens in the Kuru Host and Droṇa’s Recognition of Arjuna (क्लीबवेषधारी पार्थ-परिज्ञानम्)

Devanagari script

सा सारथ्यं मम भ्रातु: कुरु साधु बृहन्नले । पुरा दूरतरं गावो हियन्त कुरुभिर्हि न:,“अतः बृहन्नले! इसके पहले कि कौरवलोग हमारी गौओंको बहुत दूर लेकर चले जायूँ, तुम मेरे भाईके सारथिका कार्य अच्छी तरह कर दो

Transliteration

sā sārathyaṃ mama bhrātuḥ kuru sādhu bṛhannale | purā dūratarāṃ gāvo hiyanta kurubhir hi naḥ ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: “O Bṛhannalā, perform well the duty of charioteer for my brother—before the Kurus drive our cattle far away.”

Word by Word

साshe

सारथ्यम्charioteering; the office of charioteer

ममof me; my

भ्रातुःof (my) brother

कुरुdo; perform

साधुwell; properly

बृहन्नलेO Brihannalā

पुराbefore; formerly

दूरतरम्farther; to a greater distance

गावःcows

ह्रियन्ताम्let (them) be carried off; let (them) be taken away

कुरुभिःby the Kurus

हिindeed; for

नःof us; our

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Bṛhannalā (Arjuna)

brother (Uttara, in narrative context)

Kurus (Kauravas)

cows/cattle

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?

When a duty is entrusted—especially in protecting one’s community and livelihood—it must be carried out promptly and skillfully. The verse highlights responsible action (kartavya) and competence (sādhu-karaṇa) as ethical necessities.

What is happening in the narrative?

As the Kurus are driving away the cattle of Virāṭa’s kingdom, the speaker urges Bṛhannalā (Arjuna in disguise) to act as charioteer for her brother (Uttara) immediately, so they can pursue and recover the cattle before it is too late.