Shloka 47

Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda

Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps

Devanagari script

वर्म मुख्यं तनुत्राणं शातकुम्भपरिष्कृतम्‌

Transliteration

varma mukhyaṃ tanutrāṇaṃ śātakumbhapariṣkṛtam

Translation

Sanjaya said: “(He wore) a foremost coat of mail—a protective cuirass—adorned and refined with śātakumbha-gold.” The line underscores the deliberate preparation for battle: protection of the body and the display of royal splendor, reflecting how warfare in the Mahābhārata joins practical defense with the ethics of kṣatriya readiness and public honor.

Word by Word

• वर्म: armor, coat of mail
• वर्म: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्मन्
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular

• मुख्यम्: chief, principal
• मुख्यम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मुख्य
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular

• तनुत्राणम्: body-protection, cuirass
• तनुत्राणम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: तनुत्राण
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular

• शातकुम्भपरिष्कृतम्: adorned/finished with gold
• शातकुम्भपरिष्कृतम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शातकुम्भ-परिष्कृत
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• armor (varma/tanutrāṇa)
• śātakumbha-gold

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights kṣatriya readiness: safeguarding the body with proper protection while upholding public honor. It suggests that entering battle is not reckless bravado but disciplined preparation aligned with one’s duty.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya is describing a warrior’s battle equipment—specifically a principal suit of armor, finely embellished with gold—indicating the formal arming and readiness for the coming combat.