Mahabharata 7.115.53 — Drona Parva, Adhyaya 115, Shloka 53

धृतराष्ट्र-संजय-संवादः — सात्यकि-अलम्बुसयोर्युद्धवर्णनम्

Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Saṃjaya Dialogue; Account of Sātyaki vs Alambusa

Devanagari script

ततः प्रशीर्णे धनुषि शक्‍्त्या शक्तिमतां वर:

Transliteration

tataḥ praśīrṇe dhanuṣi śaktyā śaktimatāṁ varaḥ

Translation

Sañjaya dijo: Entonces, cuando el arco quedó hecho añicos, el más eminente entre los poderosos tomó una lanza, respondiendo fuerza con fuerza mientras la furia del combate seguía apremiando.

Word by Word

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

• प्रशीर्णे: when (it was) broken/shattered
• प्रशीर्णे: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रशीर्ण
• Form: Locative singular, neuter (agreeing with धनुषि)

• धनुषि: in/when the bow
• धनुषि: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: धनुस्
• Form: Locative singular, neuter

• शक्त्या: with a spear/javelin
• शक्त्या: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: शक्ति
• Form: Instrumental singular, feminine

• शक्तिमताम्: of the mighty/strong
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शक्तिमत्
• Form: Genitive plural, masculine (used substantively: 'of the powerful')

• वरः: the best; the foremost
• वरः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर
• Form: Nominative singular, masculine

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• dhanuṣ (bow)
• śakti (spear/śakti-weapon)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness under pressure: when one means is lost (the bow), a warrior adapts without abandoning resolve, continuing the fight with another weapon. Ethically, it reflects perseverance and readiness to meet circumstances without panic.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the midst of the Drona Parva battle, a hero’s bow is broken; immediately, the foremost among strong warriors shifts to using a śakti (spear/śakti-weapon), indicating an intensification and continuation of close, lethal combat.