Shloka 156

द्रोणवध-प्रश्नः

Droṇa’s Fall: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Inquiry

Devanagari script

वहमाना व्यराजन्त मत्स्यस्यामित्रघातिन: । शत्रुसूदन मत्स्यराज विराटके रथको जो वहन करते हुए शोभा पा रहे थे, वे उत्तम घोड़े पाडरके फूलोंक समान लाल और सफेद रंगवाले थे

Transliteration

vahamānā vyarājanta matsyasyāmitraghatinaḥ | śatrusūdana matsyarāja-virāṭake rathako yo vahan karate hue śobhā pā rahe the, ve uttama ghoṛe pāḍara ke phūloṃ ke samāna lāla aura śveta raṅgavāle the |

Translation

Sañjaya said: As they bore the chariot, the horses of Virāṭa, king of the Matsyas and a slayer of foes, shone brilliantly. O destroyer of enemies, those excellent steeds—red and white in hue—resembled the blossoms of the pāḍara tree, enhancing the martial splendor of the king’s advance.

Word by Word

• वहमाना: carrying/bearing
• वहमाना: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वह्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• व्यराजन्त: shone, were splendid
• Type: Verb
• Root: राज्
• Form: Imperfect, 3rd, Plural, Parasmaipada

• मत्स्यस्य: of the Matsya (kingdom/people)
• मत्स्यस्य: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: मत्स्य
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• अमित्रघातिनः: slayers of enemies
• अमित्रघातिनः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अमित्रघातिन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Virāṭa
• Matsya (kingdom/people)
• chariot
• horses
• pāḍara tree (blossoms)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse primarily serves epic narration rather than direct moral instruction: it highlights how outward discipline and excellence (well-bred, well-kept horses and a well-equipped chariot) support a ruler’s duty in wartime, reflecting the kṣatriya ideal of preparedness and resolute action.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya describes Virāṭa, the Matsya king, advancing with his chariot team. The horses carrying the chariot are portrayed as strikingly beautiful—red and white like pāḍara blossoms—emphasizing the grandeur and momentum of the martial scene.