Shloka 6

Virāṭa’s Conciliation and Uttara’s Account of the Unseen Champion

Bṛhannadā/Arjuna

Devanagari script

ततो भीष्म: शरानष्टौ ध्वजे पार्थस्य वीर्यवान्‌ | समार्पयन्महावेगाउ्छवसमानानिवोरगान्‌

Transliteration

tato bhīṣmaḥ śarān aṣṭau dhvaje pārthasya vīryavān | samārpayan mahāvegān chavasamānān ivoragān |

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: Then the mighty Bhīṣma, directing eight arrows at Pārtha’s banner, hurled them with tremendous force—like swift, powerful serpents.

Word by Word

• ततः: then/thereupon
• ततः: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः
• Form: Avyaya (ablatival adverb: 'from/then')

• भीष्मः: Bhishma
• भीष्मः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीष्म
• Form: Masculine, nominative, singular

• शरान्: arrows
• शरान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: शर
• Form: Masculine, accusative, plural

• अष्टौ: eight
• अष्टौ: Karma
• Type: Numeral (Adjective)
• Root: अष्टन्
• Form: Accusative, plural (agreeing with शरान्)

• ध्वजे: on the banner/standard
• ध्वजे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्वज
• Form: Masculine, locative, singular

• पार्थस्य: of Partha (Arjuna)
• पार्थस्य: Sambandha
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्थ
• Form: Masculine, genitive, singular

• वीर्यवान्: mighty/valorous
• वीर्यवान्: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वीर्यवत्
• Form: Masculine, nominative, singular (qualifying भीष्मः)

• समार्पयत्: he hurled/shot (directed)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-√र्प्
• Form: Imperfect (Laṅ), parasmaipada, 3rd person, singular

• महावेगान्: of great speed/impetus
• महावेगान्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महावेग
• Form: Masculine, accusative, plural (qualifying शरान्)

• छवसमानान्: equal in appearance (to ...)
• छवसमानान्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: छवसमान
• Form: Masculine, accusative, plural (qualifying शरान्)

• इव: like/as
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव
• Form: Avyaya (comparative particle)

• उरगान्: serpents
• उरगान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: उरग
• Form: Masculine, accusative, plural

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Bhīṣma
• Pārtha (Arjuna)
• dhvaja (banner/standard)
• śara (arrows)
• uraga (serpents, as simile)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of steadfast courage and disciplined force in battle, where striking an opponent’s banner symbolizes challenging their honor and resolve rather than mere personal animosity.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana narrates that Bhīṣma shoots eight powerful arrows aimed at Arjuna’s banner, the arrows compared to swift serpents to convey their speed and deadly force.