Shloka 7

अश्वमेधीयस्य हयस्य दक्षिणापश्चिमगमनम् — The Sacrificial Horse’s Southern and Western Circuit

Devanagari script

निरुध्यमानस्तैश्लापि गान्धारै: पाण्डुनन्दन:

Transliteration

nirudhyamānas taiś cāpi gāndhāraiḥ pāṇḍunandanaḥ

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: Even as he was being hemmed in and restrained by the men of Gandhāra, the son of Pāṇḍu stood his ground—suggesting a moment where rightful resolve is tested by hostile opposition.

Word by Word

• निरुध्यमानः: being restrained/blocked
• निरुध्यमानः: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: निरुध् (नि + रुध्)
• Form: present passive participle (शानच्/मान), Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• तैः: by them
• तैः: Karana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Plural

• अपि: also/even
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि

• गान्धारैः: by the Gandharas (men of Gandhara)
• गान्धारैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: गान्धार
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• पाण्डुनन्दनः: the son of Pandu
• पाण्डुनन्दनः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाण्डुनन्दन
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Gāndhāras (people of Gandhāra)
• Pāṇḍunandana (a son of Pāṇḍu / Pāṇḍava)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights steadfastness under pressure: when confronted by opposition, a righteous agent (here, a Pāṇḍava) is tested in composure and duty, implying that dharma is upheld not only in victory but also amid restraint and adversity.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana describes a Pāṇḍava prince being blocked or surrounded by Gandhāran forces. The line sets up a tense encounter where the hero’s movement or action is checked by adversaries, preparing for the next narrative development.