Shloka 253

ध्वजवर्णनम् | Dhvaja-varṇanam

Description of War Standards

Devanagari script

अप्राप्ते5स्तं दिनकरे हनिष्यति जयद्रथम्‌ । “अतः मैं कल वह उद्योग करूँगा, जिससे कुन्तीपुत्र अर्जुन सूर्यदेवके अस्त होनेसे पहले जयद्रथको मार डालेंगे

Transliteration

aprāpte 'staṃ dinakare haniṣyati jayadratham |

Translation

Sañjaya dit : «Avant que le soleil ne se couche, il tuera Jayadratha.» Cette parole souligne l’urgence du vœu d’Arjuna sur le champ de bataille : le temps qui reste en ce jour devient une frontière morale et stratégique, où se rejoignent la résolution, le devoir envers les compagnons d’armes et les conséquences de l’échec.

Word by Word

• अप्राप्ते: when (it is) not yet reached
• अप्राप्ते: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अप्राप्त (a- + प्राप्त, कृदन्त from √आप्/√प्राप्)
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• अस्तम्: setting (sunset), the setting (state)
• अस्तम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• दिनकरे: in the sun (day-maker)
• दिनकरे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिनकर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• हनिष्यति: will kill
• हनिष्यति: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: √हन्
• Form: Simple Future (Luṭ), 3rd, Singular

• जयद्रथम्: Jayadratha
• जयद्रथम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: जयद्रथ (प्रातिपदिक, proper noun)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Jayadratha
• the Sun (Dinakara)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights time-bound dharma: a warrior’s pledged responsibility must be pursued with unwavering resolve, especially when the outcome affects the morale, safety, and justice of the wider community.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports the decisive aim for the day’s battle: Jayadratha is to be slain before sunset, reflecting the urgency created by Arjuna’s vow and the strategic pressure of the approaching end of day.