Shloka 74

Devanagari script

संवृतः सिन्धुसौवीरैर्नखरप्रासयोधिभि: । अत्यन्तोपचितै: शूरै: फाल्गुन: परवीरहा,शत्रुवीरोंका संहार करनेवाला अर्जुन, नखर (बघनखे) और प्रासोंद्वारा युद्ध करनेवाले तथा अधिक संख्यामें एकत्र हुए सिन्धु-सौवीर देशके शूरवीर सैनिकोंसे घिर गया है

Transliteration

saṃvṛtaḥ sindhusauvīrair nakharaprāsayodhibhiḥ | atyantopacitaiḥ śūraiḥ phālgunaḥ paravīrahā ||

Translation

Yudhiṣṭhira said: Arjuna—Phālguna, the slayer of enemy champions—has been hemmed in by the warriors of Sindhu and Sauvīra, fighters who wage battle with nakhara-weapons and spears, gathered together in overwhelming numbers. The scene underscores the moral pressure of war: even the most righteous and capable hero can be surrounded by massed force, testing resolve, duty, and leadership amid chaos.

Word by Word

संवृतःsurrounded, enclosed

सिन्धु-सौवीरैःby the Sindhu and Sauvira (warriors/people)

नखर-प्रास-योधिभिःby fighters (armed) with baghnakha-claws and spears

अत्यन्त-उपचितैःby exceedingly amassed/collected

शूरैःby heroes/valiant men

फाल्गुनःPhalguna (Arjuna)

पर-वीर-हाslayer of enemy-heroes

Speaker

युधिष्ठिर उवाच

Characters & Entities

Yudhiṣṭhira

Arjuna (Phālguna)

Sindhu

Sauvīra

nakhara (claw-like weapon)

prāsa (spear)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the ethical strain of kṣatriya-dharma: even a renowned hero like Arjuna can be overwhelmed by numbers, so steadfastness, strategic clarity, and responsibility toward one’s side become crucial amid fear and confusion.

What is happening in the narrative?

Yudhiṣṭhira reports that Arjuna (Phālguna) has been encircled by a large, concentrated force of Sindhu–Sauvīra warriors, armed with claw-like weapons (nakhara) and spears (prāsa), indicating a dangerous tactical moment on the battlefield.