Shloka 17

द्रोण–सात्यकि द्वैरथम्

Droṇa and Sātyaki: The Chariot Duel

Devanagari script

विषण्णवदना: सर्वे परिवार्य धनंजयम्‌

Transliteration

viṣaṇṇavadanāḥ sarve parivārya dhanañjayam

Translation

Yudhiṣṭhira said: “All of them, their faces fallen in dejection, gathered around Dhanañjaya (Arjuna).”

Word by Word

• विषण्णवदनाः: with dejected faces
• विषण्णवदनाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विषण्ण-वदन
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• परिवार्य: having surrounded / encircling
• Type: Verb
• Root: परि + √वृ (वृणोति/वर्तते) → परिवार्य
• Form: Absolutive (Gerund), Parasmaipada/Atmanepada (gerund, voice-neutral in usage)

• धनंजयम्: Dhanañjaya (Arjuna)
• धनंजयम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: धनंजय
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

युधिछिर उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Yudhiṣṭhira
• Dhanañjaya (Arjuna)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

In the midst of war, collective morale and ethical resolve fluctuate; the verse highlights how a community turns to its foremost agent (Arjuna) in moments of dejection, implying the dharmic burden of leadership to steady others without abandoning righteous purpose.

What is happening in the narrative?

Yudhiṣṭhira describes a tense moment on the battlefield: the warriors on his side are dispirited and physically cluster around Arjuna, seeking direction, reassurance, or a decisive response to the unfolding crisis.