Shloka 28

वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च

The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel

Devanagari script

सो5तिविद्धो बलवता समरे दृढ्धन्विना

Transliteration

so’tividdho balavatā samare dṛḍhadhanvinā

Translation

Di medan laga ia tertembus hebat oleh pemanah perkasa yang berbusur teguh.

Word by Word

• सः: he
• सः: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• अतिविद्धः: pierced through; severely wounded
• अतिविद्धः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अतिविद्ध (वि√व्यध्)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• बलवता: by the strong (one)
• बलवता: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बलवत्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• समरे: in battle
• समरे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: समर
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• दृढधन्विना: by the firm-bowed archer
• दृढधन्विना: Karana
• Type: Noun/Adjective
• Root: दृढधन्विन्
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

Speaker

सयजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• an unnamed warrior (he)
• a steadfast archer (unnamed)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The line underscores the harsh moral reality of war: strength and status do not guarantee safety; when determination and martial skill are applied, injury becomes inevitable. It invites reflection on the cost of violence even within the framework of kṣatriya-duty.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports a battlefield moment: an unnamed warrior is forcefully pierced by an unwavering archer during combat, indicating a decisive strike amid the ongoing fighting in Droṇa Parva.