Shloka 13

Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 125: Duryodhana’s despair and vow after Jayadratha’s fall (जयद्रथवधे दुर्योधनविलापः)

Devanagari script

ते तु तं रथवंशेन महता पर्यवारयन्‌

Transliteration

te tu taṃ rathavaṃśena mahatā paryavārayan

Translation

Sanjaya said: But they, using a great barricade of chariots, surrounded him on all sides—an act of coordinated warfare meant to contain a single warrior through collective force rather than single combat.

Word by Word

• ते: they
• ते: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• तु: but/indeed
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• रथवंशेन: with the chariot-pole (chariot-shaft)
• रथवंशेन: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथवंश
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• महता: great/large
• महता: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत्
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• पर्यवारयन्: they surrounded/encircled
• Type: Verb
• Root: वृ (वरणे/आवरणे)
• Form: Imperfect (Lan), 3rd, Plural, Parasmaipada

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• संजय (Sañjaya)
• रथ (chariots)
• रथवंश (chariot formation/barricade)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights a recurring ethical tension in epic warfare: when a single formidable warrior cannot be checked by equal duel, opponents resort to collective tactics and formations. It invites reflection on kṣatriya ideals of fair combat versus the practical demands of victory and survival.

What is happening in the narrative?

A group of warriors closes in around one targeted fighter, forming a large chariot-array (a barricade-like formation) to restrict his movement and isolate him within the battle.