Shloka 5

Amba’s Disclosure of Prior Choice (Śālva) and Appeal to Bhīṣma — Chapter 171

Devanagari script

भागिनेयकृते वीर: स करिष्यति संगरे । सुमहत्‌ कर्म पाण्डूनां स्थित: प्रियहिते रत:,वीर पुरुजित्‌ पाण्डवोंके प्रिय एवं हितमें तत्पर हो अपने भानजोंके लिये युद्धमें महान्‌ कर्म करेंगे

Transliteration

bhāgineya-kṛte vīraḥ sa kariṣyati saṅgare | sumahat karma pāṇḍūnāṃ sthitaḥ priya-hite rataḥ ||

Translation

Bhīṣma dit : « Pour les fils de sa sœur, ce héros accomplira de hauts faits au combat. Fermement établi dans ce qui est cher et salutaire aux Pāṇḍava, il se voue à leur bien. »

Word by Word

भागिनेयकृतेfor the sake of (his) nephews

वीरःthe hero

सःhe

करिष्यतिwill do / will perform

संगरेin battle

सुमहत्very great

कर्मdeed, act

पाण्डूनाम्of the Pāṇḍus / of the Pāṇḍavas

स्थितःstanding, remaining, being situated

प्रियहितेin (their) dear and beneficial (interest)

रतःdevoted, engaged

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

Bhīṣma

Pāṇḍavas

bhāgineyāḥ (nephews; sister’s sons)

saṅgara (battle)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights dharma as steadfast commitment to the welfare of one’s kin and allies: a true hero acts not merely for victory, but out of loyal concern for what is beneficial and dear to those he supports.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma is describing a particular warrior’s future conduct: motivated by affection and responsibility toward his sister’s sons (nephews), he will undertake great martial deeds in the coming battle, aligned with the Pāṇḍavas’ interests.