Shloka 12

Devanagari script

अथान्यद्‌ धनुरादाय गौतमो रथिनां वर:

Transliteration

athānyad dhanur ādāya gautamo rathināṃ varaḥ

Translation

तब रथियों में श्रेष्ठ गौतम ने दूसरा धनुष उठा लिया।

Word by Word

• अथ: then
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ

• अन्यत्: another (one)
• अन्यत्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य
• Form: neuter, accusative, singular

• धनुः: bow
• धनुः: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: धनुस्
• Form: neuter, accusative, singular

• आदाय: having taken
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + दा
• Form: ल्यप् (absolutive/gerund), parasmaipada (usage)

• गौतमः: Gautama
• गौतमः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: गौतम
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

• रथिनाम्: of chariot-warriors
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथिन्
• Form: masculine, genitive, plural

• वरः: the best
• वरः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Gautama
• dhanuḥ (bow)
• rathin (chariot-warrior)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights steadfastness and preparedness: when one means is spent or set aside, a capable warrior adopts another without losing composure—an image of resilience and disciplined resolve in the midst of conflict.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that Gautama, praised as the best among chariot-fighters, takes up a different bow, indicating a tactical shift or continuation of battle with renewed equipment.