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Shloka 133

Karṇa-vadha-pratyaya: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Verification of Karṇa’s Fall (कर्णवध-प्रत्ययः)

निमग्नं तं रथं मत्वा नेदु: संशप्तका मुदा । सेनाओंकी उस विशाल भँवरमें जो पातालतलके समान प्रतीत होता था, अर्जुनके उस रथको निमग्न हुआ मानकर संशप्तक सैनिक प्रसन्न हो सिंहनाद करने लगे

sañjaya uvāca |

nimagnaṃ taṃ rathaṃ matvā neduḥ saṃśaptakā mudā |

Sañjaya dit : « Croyant que son char avait sombré, les guerriers Saṃśaptaka poussèrent des cris de joie. Prenant le char d’Arjuna pour englouti dans l’immense tourbillon des armées — profond et inéluctable comme le monde infernal — ils élevèrent des rugissements de triomphe, révélant combien vite, sur le champ de bataille, l’apparence se change en certitude et en fête, avant même que la vérité ne soit connue. »

निमग्नम्sunk, submerged
निमग्नम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootनिमग्न (√मज्ज्)
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
तम्that
तम्:
Karma
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
रथम्chariot
रथम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootरथ
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
मत्वाhaving thought/considered
मत्वा:
TypeVerb
Root√मन्
Formक्त्वा (absolutive), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral for absolutive)
नेदुःthey roared/cried out
नेदुः:
TypeVerb
Root√नद्
FormPerfect (लिट्), Third, Plural
संशप्तकाःthe Saṁśaptakas (a warrior band)
संशप्तकाः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootसंशप्तक
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
मुदाwith joy
मुदा:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootमुद्/मुदा
FormFeminine, Instrumental, Singular

संजय उवाच

S
Sañjaya
S
Saṃśaptaka warriors
A
Arjuna
C
chariot (ratha)

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights how, in war, people often convert incomplete perception into confident judgment and moral celebration. It cautions that triumph based on assumption can be premature, and that emotional reactions—especially joy at an enemy’s supposed downfall—may arise before facts are verified.

In the dense, swirling clash of armies, the Saṃśaptakas believe Arjuna’s chariot has been submerged/overwhelmed. Taking this as a sign of his defeat, they shout and roar in delight, proclaiming victory even though it is only their assumption.