Shloka 253

Nakula–Śakuni Duel and the Night Battle; Śikhaṇḍin–Kṛpa Engagement (नकुल-शकुनियुद्धं तथा रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)

Devanagari script

उत्तमाभिजनीौ वीरौ कुरुवृष्णियशस्करौ । वे दोनों वीर उत्तम कुलमें उत्पन्न हुए थे। एक कुरुकुलकी कीर्तिका विस्तार कर रहा था तो दूसरा वृष्णिवंशका यश बढ़ा रहा था। उन दोनोंने एक-दूसरेपर पृथक्‌-पृथक्‌ अस्त्र- शस्त्रोंकी वर्षा की

Transliteration

uttamābhijanī vīrau kuruvṛṣṇiyaśaskarau |

Translation

Kedua kesatria itu lahir dari garis keturunan paling mulia—yang satu memperluas kemasyhuran wangsa Kuru, yang lain meninggikan nama wangsa Vṛṣṇi. Mereka saling menghujani, bergiliran, dengan beragam senjata dan peluru perang.

Word by Word

• उत्तमाभिजनी: of excellent lineage
• उत्तमाभिजनी: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तमाभिजनिन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

• वीरौ: two heroes
• वीरौ: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

• कुरुवृष्णियशस्करौ: enhancers of the fame of the Kurus and the Vrishnis (respectively)
• कुरुवृष्णियशस्करौ: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुरुवृष्णियशस्कर
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Kuru dynasty
• Vṛṣṇi clan
• weapons (astra-śastra)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of safeguarding one’s lineage-honor and reputation (yaśas) through valor, while also hinting at the ethical tension of war: glory is pursued through violence, and fame becomes a motivating force within dharma-bound conflict.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya describes two eminent warriors—one representing Kuru prestige and the other Vṛṣṇi renown—engaging in a fierce duel, hurling varied weapons and missiles at one another in alternating volleys.