Shloka 28

अर्जुनस्य दिग्विजयारम्भः — Arjuna Initiates the Northern Campaign and Secures Bhagadattta’s Tribute

Devanagari script

व्यूढोरस्कौ दीर्घभुजौ नियुद्धकुशलावुभौ । बाहुभि: समसज्जेतामायसै: परिघैरिव,दोनोंकी छाती चौड़ी और भुजाएँ बड़ी-बड़ी थीं। दोनों ही मल्लयुद्धमें कुशल थे और लोहेकी परिघ-जैसी मोटी भुजाओंको भिड़ाकर आपसमें गुँथ जाते थे

Transliteration

vyūḍhoraskau dīrghabhujau niyuddhakuśalāv ubhau | bāhubhiḥ samasajjetām āyasaiḥ parighair iva ||

Translation

Tous deux avaient la poitrine large et solide, et de longs bras puissants. Experts du corps à corps et de la lutte, ils s’agrippèrent l’un à l’autre; leurs bras s’entrechoquaient et s’enlaçaient comme des massues de fer—image qui souligne la force brute et l’entraînement discipliné qui portaient l’affrontement.

Word by Word

व्यूढोरस्कौhaving broad/expanded chests

दीर्घभुजौlong-armed

नियुद्धकुशलौskilled in wrestling/close combat

उभौboth

बाहुभिःwith (their) arms

समसज्जेताम्they engaged/closed in (with each other)

आयसैःiron (made of iron)

परिघैःwith iron bars/bolts (clubs)

इवlike/as if

Speaker

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच

Characters & Entities

Śrīkṛṣṇa

bāhu (arms)

parigha (iron club/bar)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse is primarily descriptive rather than doctrinal: it highlights how trained prowess and physical discipline manifest in combat. Ethically, it frames the encounter as a contest of strength and skill, emphasizing controlled engagement (niyuddha) rather than chaotic violence.

What is happening in the narrative?

Two formidable fighters—broad-chested and long-armed—engage in hand-to-hand combat. They grapple tightly, their arms compared to iron clubs, conveying the intensity and power of the struggle.