Shloka 36

शल्यस्य सेनापत्याभ्युपगमः | Śalya’s Acceptance of Command

Devanagari script

शूराणामरर्यवृत्तानां संग्रामेष्वनिवर्तिनाम्‌ । धीमतां सत्यसंधानां सर्वेषां क्रतुयाजिनाम्‌

Transliteration

śūrāṇām araryavṛttānāṁ saṅgrāmeṣv anivartinām | dhīmatāṁ satyasaṁdhānāṁ sarveṣāṁ kratuyājinām ||

Translation

संजय बोले—वे आर्य-चरित्र वाले शूरवीर थे, जो संग्राम में कभी पीठ नहीं दिखाते थे—बुद्धिमान, सत्य और प्रतिज्ञा में अडिग, और सभी पवित्र यज्ञ-कर्म करने वाले।

Word by Word

शूराणाम्of heroes

अरर्यवृत्तानाम्of those whose conduct is noble/irreproachable

संग्रामेषुin battles

अनिवर्तिनाम्of the unretreating (those who do not turn back)

धीमताम्of the intelligent/wise

सत्यसंधानाम्of those true to their pledges (truth-keeping)

सर्वेषाम्of all

क्रतुयाजिनाम्of sacrificers (performers of Vedic rites)

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

Sañjaya

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 praises an ideal of dharmic warriorhood: courage without retreat, wisdom, fidelity to truth and vows, and reverence for sacred duty—suggesting that martial prowess is ethically framed by character and commitment.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya is characterizing a group of combatants in the Shalya Parva, emphasizing their valor and moral qualities—unflinching in battle, truthful, and ritually observant—setting the tone for the ensuing martial events.