Mahabharata — Drona Parva, Shloka 30

Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 107: Karṇa–Bhīma Saṃmarda

Arrow-storm Engagement

Devanagari script

ततदश्रित्राणि शुभ्राणि सुमहान्ति महारथा:

Transliteration

tatadāśritrāṇi śubhrāṇi sumahānti mahārathāḥ

Translation

Sañjaya dijo: Entonces los grandes guerreros de carros, apostándose tras aquellas cubiertas protectoras, resplandecientes y desmesuradas, avanzaron en la batalla—buscando ventaja tanto por la defensa como por la fuerza, en medio del caos moral de la guerra.

Word by Word

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: neuter, nominative/accusative, singular

• अश्रित्राणि: armour/cuirasses (protective gear)
• अश्रित्राणि: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्रित्राण
• Form: neuter, nominative/accusative, plural

• शुभ्राणि: bright, white, shining
• शुभ्राणि: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ्र
• Form: neuter, nominative/accusative, plural

• सुमहान्ति: very great, exceedingly large
• सुमहान्ति: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुमहत्
• Form: neuter, nominative/accusative, plural

• महारथाः: great chariot-warriors
• महारथाः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: महारथ
• Form: masculine, nominative, plural

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• mahārathāḥ (great chariot-warriors)
• āśritrāṇi (protective coverings/defenses)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Even in warfare, strength is not only aggression; disciplined protection and strategic positioning matter. The verse hints at how warriors balance valor with prudence, raising ethical reflection on means used amid adharma-filled conflict.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya describes elite chariot-warriors advancing while relying on bright, massive defensive supports—suggesting a tactical formation or use of protective gear as the battle intensifies in Droṇa Parva.