Shloka 83

Devanagari script

द्वाभ्यां तु रथयन्तारौ त्रिभिश्वास्य त्रिवेणुकम्‌

Transliteration

dvābhyāṃ tu rathayantārau tribhiś cāsya triveṇukam

Translation

Sañjaya said: “Two (men) served as the charioteers, and three (others) attended to his triveṇuka—his triple-plumed standard/crest.” The line underscores the elaborate martial retinue and the careful, almost ritual precision with which a warrior’s war-gear and insignia are maintained amid the moral gravity of battle.

Word by Word

• द्वाभ्याम्: with two
• द्वाभ्याम्: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वि
• Form: नपुंसक, तृतीया, द्विवचन

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

• रथयन्तारौ: the two charioteers
• रथयन्तारौ: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथयन्तृ
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन

• त्रिभिः: with three
• त्रिभिः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि
• Form: नपुंसक, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• वास्य: a (wind-)instrument/pipe
• वास्य: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: वासी
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• त्रिवेणुकम्: having three flutes/tubes
• त्रिवेणुकम्: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रिवेणुक
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speaker

सयजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• charioteers (rathayantārau)
• triveṇuka (triple-plumed standard/crest)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights disciplined organization and attentive service around a warrior’s chariot and insignia, suggesting that in war even outward symbols and logistics are maintained with strict order—an external reflection of the seriousness and accountability of martial action.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya describes the warrior’s entourage: two men act as charioteers, while three others handle or attend to his triveṇuka (a triple-plumed standard/crest), emphasizing the grandeur and preparedness of the combatant’s war equipment.