Shloka 33

Nakula–Śakuni Duel and the Night Battle; Śikhaṇḍin–Kṛpa Engagement (नकुल-शकुनियुद्धं तथा रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)

Devanagari script

आर्षभे चर्मणी चित्रे प्रगृह् विपुले शुभे

Transliteration

ārṣabhe carmaṇī citre pragṛhya vipule śubhe

Translation

Sañjaya dit : Il prit une peau splendide, large et de bon augure—faite du cuir d’un taureau noble et ornée de marques bigarrées—(et la prépara à l’usage), dans le cadre des apprêts guerriers que l’on décrit.

Word by Word

• आर्षभे: on/at (something) of bull(-hide); made of bull-hide
• आर्षभे: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आर्षभ
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• चर्मणी: on the hide/leather
• चर्मणी: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: चर्मन्
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• चित्रे: variegated/ornate
• चित्रे: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चित्र
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• प्रगृह्य: having seized/taken up
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + ग्रह्
• Form: क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage)

• विपुले: broad/large
• विपुले: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विपुल
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• शुभे: auspicious/beautiful
• शुभे: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• bull-hide/leather (carman)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The line highlights the concrete, material side of dharma-in-war: warriors rely on well-made, auspicious equipment, and the narrative underscores preparedness and disciplined action amid conflict.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya is describing a warrior’s action of taking up a broad, fine bull-hide—likely as protective gear or a martial accessory—within the ongoing battlefield account in Droṇa Parva.