Shloka 313

अमोघशक्तिव्यंसनप्रश्नः — Why Karṇa’s Śakti Was Not Used on Arjuna

Devanagari script

पुन: स्वरथमास्थाय दुद्राव तव वाहिनीम्‌ । अद्भुत पराक्रमी भीमसेन रणभूमिमें यह महान्‌ पराक्रम करके पुनः अपने रथपर आ बैठे और आपकी सेनाको खदेड़ने लगे

Transliteration

punaḥ svaratham āsthāya dudrāva tava vāhinīm | adbhuta-parākramaḥ bhīmasenaḥ raṇabhūmau imaṃ mahān parākramaṃ kṛtvā punaḥ svārathopari ābabhau, tava senāṃ ca khadedayām āsa |

Translation

Sañjaya said: Mounting his own chariot once again, Bhīmasena—of astonishing prowess—charged at your army. Having performed this great feat on the battlefield, he returned to his chariot and began to drive your forces back, scattering them in renewed assault.

Word by Word

• पुनः: again
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुनस्

• स्वरथम्: his own chariot
• स्वरथम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व-रथ
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• आस्थाय: having mounted/ascended
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-स्था (स्था)
• Form: क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage)

• दुद्राव: ran, rushed
• Type: Verb
• Root: द्रु
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), Third, Singular, Parasmaipada

• तव: of you/your
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: युष्मद्
• Form: —, Genitive, Singular

• वाहिनीम्: army, host
• वाहिनीम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाहिनी
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Bhīmasena (Bhīma)
• tava vāhinī (Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s/Kaurava army)
• sva-ratha (chariot)
• raṇabhūmi (battlefield)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights steadfastness and renewed effort: after a major exploit, Bhīma immediately returns to his chariot and resumes the task of pressing the enemy back. Ethically, it reflects the kṣatriya ideal of sustained courage and responsibility in battle rather than resting on a single achievement.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Bhīma, after accomplishing a remarkable feat on the battlefield, remounts his chariot and charges again, driving the Kaurava forces into retreat.