Shloka 33
Omens in the Kuru Host and Droṇa’s Recognition of Arjuna (क्लीबवेषधारी पार्थ-परिज्ञानम्)
तमुत्तरं वीक्ष्य रथोत्तमे स्थितं बृहन्नलाया: सहितं महाभुजम् | स्त्रियश्न कन्याश्र द्विजाश्व सुव्रता: प्रदक्षिणं चक्रुरथोचुरज्ञना:,बृहन्नलाके साथ उत्तम रथपर बैठे हुए महाबाहु उत्तरको जाते देख स्त्रियों, कन्याओं तथा उत्तम व्रतका पालन करनेवाले ब्राह्मणोंने उसकी दक्षिणावर्त परिक्रमा की। तत्पश्चात् स्त्रियाँ और कन्याएँ बोलीं---
tam uttaraṁ vīkṣya rathottame sthitaṁ bṛhannalāyāḥ sahitaṁ mahābhujam | striyaś ca kanyāś ca dvijāś ca suvratāḥ pradakṣiṇaṁ cakrur athocur ajñanāḥ ||
Seeing the mighty-armed Uttara seated upon an excellent chariot together with Bṛhannalā, the women, the maidens, and the well-vowed Brahmins circumambulated him to the right in reverence. Thereafter, the women and maidens spoke—
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic social conduct: honoring perceived valor and auspicious leadership through pradakṣiṇā, a ritual act of respect. It reflects how communities express reverence and seek well-being by aligning with auspicious action and disciplined (suvrata) religious presence.
Uttara is seen mounted on an excellent chariot with Bṛhannalā (Arjuna in disguise). The women, maidens, and Brahmins perform a clockwise circumambulation of him as a sign of blessing and reverence, and then the women and girls begin to speak, setting up the next lines of dialogue.