Mahabharata — Udyoga Parva, Shloka 12

Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Pāṇḍava-Alliance Warriors (Śikhaṇḍin, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, and Allied Kings)

Devanagari script

उद्यन्तुं वा गदा गुर्वी: शरान्‌ वा क्षेप्तुमाहवे । जवे लक्ष्यस्य हरणे भोज्ये पांसुविकर्षणे

Transliteration

udyantuṁ vā gadā gurvīḥ śarān vā kṣeptum āhave | jave lakṣyasya haraṇe bhojye pāṁsuvikarṣaṇe

Translation

चाहे भारी गदा उठाकर चलाना हो या रण में बाण फेंकना; चाहे वेग में, लक्ष्य को साध लेने में, भोजन-बल में या धूलि में घसीटने जैसे पराक्रम में—(इन सब परीक्षाओं में) वह श्रेष्ठ है।

Word by Word

• उद्यन्तुम्: to raise (to wield/brandish)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उद्-यम्
• Form: tumun (infinitive)

• वा: or
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा

• गदाम्: mace
• गदाम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: गदा
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• गुर्वीम्: heavy
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गुर्वी (गुरु)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• शरान्: arrows
• शरान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: शर
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• वा: or
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा

• क्षेप्तुम्: to hurl/throw
• Type: Verb
• Root: क्षिप्
• Form: tumun (infinitive)

• आहवे: in battle
• आहवे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: आहव
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• जवे: in speed; in swiftness
• जवे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: जव
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• लक्ष्यस्य: of the target
• Type: Noun
• Root: लक्ष्य
• Form: Neuter, Genitive, Singular

• हरणे: in taking away/carrying off
• हरणे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरण
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• भोज्ये: in what is to be eaten; in food (matters)
• भोज्ये: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भोज्य
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• पांसु-विकर्षणे: in dragging up dust (raising dust)
• पांसु-विकर्षणे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: पांसु-विकर्षण
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• gadā (mace)
• śara (arrows)
• āhava (battle)
• lakṣya (target)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the Kṣatriya ideal of comprehensive martial competence—strength, weapon-skill, speed, and dominance in combat—presented as qualities worthy of recognition and strategic consideration.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma is describing and praising a warrior’s capabilities by listing various battlefield and athletic tests—wielding heavy maces, shooting arrows, speed, seizing the target, feats of strength, and overpowering an opponent—emphasizing excellence across disciplines.