Shloka 3

Devanagari script

किंप्रमाणा हयास्तस्य रथकेतुर्धनुस्तथा । कीदृशं वर्म चैवास्य शिरस्त्राणं च कीदृशम्‌

Transliteration

kiṃpramāṇā hayās tasya rathaketur dhanus tathā | kīdṛśaṃ varma caivāsya śirastrāṇaṃ ca kīdṛśam ||

Translation

Dhṛtarāṣṭra bertanya: “Seberapa besar kuda-kudanya? Bagaimana panji keretanya dan busurnya? Bagaimana baju zirahnya, dan bagaimana pelindung kepalanya (helm)?”

Word by Word

किम्what (of what kind/what measure)

प्रमाणाःof what size/measure

हयाःhorses

तस्यof him/of that (person)

रथकेतुःchariot-banner/standard

धनुःbow

तथाand likewise/also

कीदृशम्of what kind

वर्मarmor

चand

एवindeed/just

अस्यof him/of this (person)

शिरस्त्राणम्head-protection, helmet

चand

कीदृशम्of what kind

Speaker

धृतराष्ट उवाच

Characters & Entities

Dhṛtarāṣṭra

horses (hayāḥ)

chariot-banner/standard (rathaketu)

bow (dhanuḥ)

armour (varma)

helmet/head-protection (śirastrāṇa)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights a common epic motif: in war, leaders assess not only moral resolve but also practical means—mounts, weapons, and protective gear. It reflects how anxiety and strategic concern drive inquiry, reminding readers that power in battle is judged through visible signs of preparedness.

What is happening in the narrative?

Dhṛtarāṣṭra questions the details of a warrior’s battle equipment—horses, chariot standard, bow, armour, and helmet—seeking a concrete description to gauge that fighter’s strength and readiness in the unfolding conflict.