Shloka 26

Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 186 — Drupada’s Summons and the Pāñcāla Reception

Devanagari script

ततो राजा महावीरयों जरासंधो महाबल: । धनुषो5 भ्याशमागत्य तस्थौ गिरिरिवाचल:,तदनन्तर महापराक्रमी एवं महाबली राजा जरासंध धनुषके निकट आकर पर्वतकी भाँति अविचलभावसे खड़ा हो गया

Transliteration

tato rājā mahāvīryo jarāsandho mahābalaḥ | dhanuṣo 'bhyāśam āgatya tasthau girir ivācalaḥ ||

Translation

Then King Jarāsandha—renowned for great valor and immense strength—came close to the bow and stood firm, motionless like a mountain. The narration underscores the king’s resolute, unshaken readiness, presenting steadfastness and martial composure as qualities expected of a ruler in a charged encounter.

Word by Word

ततःthen, thereafter

राजाthe king

महावीर्यःof great valor

जरासन्धःJarāsandha

महाबलःof great strength

धनुषःfrom the bow (place of the bow)

अभ्याशम्near, vicinity

आगत्यhaving come

तस्थौstood

गिरिःa mountain

इवlike, as

अचलःa mountain; the immovable one

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Jarāsandha

bow (dhanuḥ)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights steadfast resolve and self-control in moments of confrontation: a ruler or warrior should be unshaken, composed, and ready to act according to duty rather than impulse.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana narrates that Jarāsandha approaches near the bow and stands firmly in place, compared to an immovable mountain—signaling his readiness and formidable presence in the unfolding encounter.