Shloka 21

Kaurava Mobilization at Kurukṣetra (Duryodhana Orders War Preparations) / कुरुक्षेत्रे धार्तराष्ट्र-सैन्यसज्जा

Devanagari script

गर्जन्निव महामेघो रथघोषेण वीर्यवान्‌ । सिंहसंहननो वीर: सिंहतुल्यपराक्रम:

Transliteration

garjann iva mahāmegho rathaghoṣeṇa vīryavān | siṁhasaṁhanano vīraḥ siṁhatulyaparākramaḥ ||

Translation

वैशम्पायन बोले—पराक्रमी वह वीर अपने रथ के घोष से मानो महामेघ की भाँति गर्जता है। सिंह के समान गठीला वह योद्धा सिंहतुल्य पराक्रम वाला है।

Word by Word

• गर्जन्: roaring
• गर्जन्: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: गर्ज्
• Form: शतृ (वर्तमान कृदन्त), पुं, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• इव: like/as
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव

• महामेघः: a great cloud
• महामेघः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: महामेघ
• Form: पुं, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• रथघोषेण: by/with the sound of the chariot
• रथघोषेण: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथघोष
• Form: पुं, तृतीया, एकवचन

• वीर्यवान्: possessing valor
• वीर्यवान्: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वीर्यवत्
• Form: पुं, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सिंहसंहननः: having a lion-like build
• सिंहसंहननः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सिंहसंहनन
• Form: पुं, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• वीरः: the hero/warrior
• वीरः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर
• Form: पुं, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सिंहतुल्यपराक्रमः: whose prowess is like a lion's
• सिंहतुल्यपराक्रमः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सिंहतुल्यपराक्रम
• Form: पुं, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• chariot (ratha)
• great thundercloud (mahāmegha)
• lion (siṁha)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse elevates the ideal of kṣatriya leadership: a commander should combine inner valor with outward steadiness and awe-inspiring presence, using strength not for vanity but to uphold duty in a righteous conflict.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana describes a warrior’s formidable appearance and battlefield aura—his chariot’s rumble is likened to thunder and his physique and prowess to a lion—setting the tone for choosing or recognizing a principal fighter/leader in the coming war.