Shloka 52

Devanagari script

अवरुह्य रथात्‌ तूर्ण प्रियमाणं बलीयसा

Transliteration

avaruhya rathāt tūrṇaṁ priyamāṇaṁ balīyasā

Translation

Sañjaya said: “Quickly dismounting from the chariot, he was being overpowered by one stronger than himself.”

Word by Word

• अवरुह्य: having descended
• अवरुह्य: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव-रुह्
• Form: ल्यप् (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय, absolutive/gerund), कर्तरि

• रथात्: from the chariot
• रथात्: Apadana
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ
• Form: Masculine, Ablative, Singular

• तूर्णम्: quickly
• तूर्णम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तूर्ण
• Form: true

• प्रियमाणम्: rejoicing / being pleased
• प्रियमाणम्: Karma
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्री
• Form: शानच् (वर्तमान कृदन्त, आत्मनेपदी; present participle), Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• बलीयसा: by/with the stronger (one)
• बलीयसा: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बलीयस्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• ratha (chariot)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The line underscores a battlefield ethic: when confronted by a superior force, a warrior may be compelled to abandon a position (even a chariot) to preserve life or regroup. It highlights the reality of unequal strength and the urgency of prudent action amid dharmic warfare.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya narrates a rapid tactical moment: someone dismounts from a chariot in haste because he is being overwhelmed by a stronger opponent. The verse functions as a transition describing the pressure of combat and a sudden change of stance.