Shloka 426

Devanagari script

क्षत्रधर्मस्य वेत्ता च बुद्धिसत्त्वगुणान्वित: । “वीर कुन्तीकुमार! इस शय्याके अनुरूप शीघ्र मुझे तकिया दो। तुम्हीं उसे देनेमें समर्थ हो; क्‍योंकि सम्पूर्ण धनुर्धरोंमें तुम्हारा बहुत ऊँचा स्थान है। तुम क्षत्रियधर्मके ज्ञाता तथा बुद्धि और सत्त्व आदि सदगुणोंसे सम्पन्न हो”

Transliteration

kṣatradharmasya vettā ca buddhisattvaguṇānvitaḥ |

Translation

Sañjaya said: “You are a knower of the kṣatriya’s duty, endowed with intelligence and the noble quality of sattva.” The line frames the addressed hero as ethically qualified for swift, fitting action in the midst of war—praising not only martial rank but also inner discipline and discernment that should guide conduct on the battlefield.

Word by Word

• क्षत्रधर्मस्य: of the kshatriya-duty
• क्षत्रधर्मस्य: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षत्रधर्म
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• वेत्ता: knower
• वेत्ता: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेतृ (from √विद्)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• बुद्धिसत्त्वगुणान्वितः: endowed with intellect, courage, and virtues
• बुद्धिसत्त्वगुणान्वितः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बुद्धि-सत्त्व-गुण-अन्वित
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

True martial excellence is not merely skill or status; it is grounded in kṣatriya-dharma and guided by buddhi (discernment) and sattva (clarity and steadiness). Ethical fitness is presented as the basis for rightful action in war.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports a statement of praise directed to a warrior, emphasizing his high standing among archers and his moral-intellectual qualifications. The praise functions to authorize and urge prompt, appropriate action consistent with warrior duty.