Shloka 25

Adhyāya 8: Saṃprahāra-varṇana and Bhīma–Kṣemadhūrti Dvipa-Yuddha

Combat Description and Elephant Duel

Devanagari script

योडजित: पार्थिवै: शूरै: समर्थवीर्यशालिभि:

Transliteration

yoḍajitaḥ pārthivaiḥ śūraiḥ samarthavīryaśālibhiḥ

Translation

Vaiśampāyana dit : Au combat, il ne pouvait être vaincu par les rois héroïques — des guerriers pourvus d’une force effective et d’une vaillance éprouvée.

Word by Word

• यः: who
• यः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• उदजितः: having conquered; victorious
• उदजितः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उद् + जि (धातु) → उदजित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, क्त)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• पार्थिवैः: by kings; by rulers
• पार्थिवैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्थिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• शूरैः: by heroes; by brave men
• शूरैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• समर्थवीर्यशालिभिः: by those possessing capable strength/valor
• समर्थवीर्यशालिभिः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: समर्थ + वीर्य + शालिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• pārthivāḥ (kings)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the ideal of martial excellence in kṣatriya-dharma: true heroism is measured by steadfast, effective valor that withstands even the combined challenge of many capable rulers.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana characterizes a central warrior as undefeated in combat, emphasizing that even brave kings endowed with strength could not overcome him—setting the tone for the intensity of the battle episode.