Shloka 46

Adhyāya 55: Pārtha–Rādheya Saṃvāda and Tactical Exchange

Chapter 55

Devanagari script

अस्याविदूरे हि धनुर्ध्वजाग्रे यस्य दृश्यते । आचार्यस्यैष पुत्रो वै अश्वत्थामा महारथ:

Transliteration

asyāvidūre hi dhanurdhvajāgre yasya dṛśyate | ācāryasya eṣa putro vai aśvatthāmā mahārathaḥ ||

Translation

Arjuna said: “Not far from here is the warrior whose banner-tip bears the emblem of a bow. He is Aśvatthāmā, the great chariot-fighter—indeed the worthy son of the Ācārya (Droṇa). He is to be honored by me and by all who bear arms; therefore, even if you approach his chariot, you should repeatedly withdraw and return, showing due restraint and respect.”

Word by Word

• {'asya': 'of this (place/one)

• here', 'avidūre': 'not far away

• nearby', 'hi': 'indeed

• surely', 'dhanus': 'bow', 'dhvaja': 'banner

• standard', 'agre': 'at the front

• at the tip', 'yasya': 'whose', 'dṛśyate': 'is seen

• appears', 'ācāryasya': 'of the teacher (Droṇa)

• of the preceptor', 'eṣa': 'this (man)', 'putraḥ': 'son', 'vai': 'indeed

• certainly', 'aśvatthāmā': 'Aśvatthāmā (Droṇa’s son)', 'mahārathaḥ': 'great chariot-warrior

Speaker

अजुन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Arjuna
• Aśvatthāmā
• Droṇa (Ācārya)
• banner (dhvaja)
• bow emblem (dhanus-cihna)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Even amid conflict, dharma requires honoring worthy persons—especially one’s teacher and the teacher’s lineage. Arjuna signals that martial skill must be guided by restraint and respect, not mere aggression.

What is happening in the narrative?

Arjuna identifies Aśvatthāmā by the bow-emblem on his banner and instructs his companion/driver to behave cautiously and respectfully near Aśvatthāmā’s chariot, acknowledging him as Droṇa’s eminent son and a formidable warrior.