Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 183

Vāg-yuddha and Nimitta-darśana before the Gadāyuddha

Verbal Duel and Omens

Devanagari script

बिश्रद्रूपं महाराज सदृशं हि गरुत्मत: । फिर तो भीमसेन कवच पहनकर बहुत बड़ी नोकवाली गदा हाथमें ले गरुडका-सा रूप धारण करके युद्धके लिये तैयार हो गये

Transliteration

sañjaya uvāca | viśradrūpaṃ mahārāja sadṛśaṃ hi garutmataḥ |

Translation

संजय बोले—महाराज! उसने गरुड़ के समान एक भव्य और भयावह रूप धारण किया। तब भीमसेन कवच बाँधकर, अत्यन्त बड़ी नोकवाली गदा हाथ में लेकर, गरुड़-सा रूप धारण कर युद्ध के लिए तत्पर हो गया।

Word by Word

• विश्रद्रूपम्: having a splendid/bright form
• विश्रद्रूपम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विश्रद्रूप
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• महाराज: O great king
• महाराज: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाराज
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular

• सदृशम्: similar, like
• सदृशम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सदृश
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• हि: indeed, for
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि

• गरुत्मतः: of Garuḍa
• गरुत्मतः: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: गरुत्मत्
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Dhṛtarāṣṭra
• Garuḍa

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the ethical weight of kṣatriya resolve: in a righteous war narrative, taking up arms and adopting a fearsome, radiant bearing symbolizes readiness to perform one’s duty despite danger and sorrow.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that a warrior has assumed a striking, Garuḍa-like appearance—an image of speed, power, and intimidation—signaling immediate preparation for combat.