Shloka 131

Chapter 12: Arjuna’s suppression of the Saṃśaptakas and duel with Aśvatthāmā

Drauṇi

Devanagari script

रथाश्वपत्तयो नागै रथाश्रेभाश्ष पत्तिभि: | रथपत्तिद्विपश्षाश्रै रथैश्षापि नरद्विपा:

Transliteration

rathāśvapattayo nāgai rathāśrebhāś ca pattibhiḥ | rathapattidvipaś cāśrai rathaiś cāpi naradvipāḥ ||

Translation

Sañjaya said: In that tumult of battle, chariots, horses, and foot-soldiers were struck down by elephants; chariot-fighters were assailed by infantry; and elephants and footmen were in turn pressed by chariots—so that men and elephants alike were crushed amid the interlocking assaults. The verse underscores the moral chaos of war, where strength and advantage shift rapidly and life is consumed in reciprocal violence.

Word by Word

रथाश्वपत्तयःcharioteers, horsemen, and foot-soldiers

नागैःby/with elephants

रथाश्रैःby/with those taking refuge in chariots (chariot-warriors)

चand

पत्तिभिःby/with foot-soldiers

रथपत्तिद्विपाःchariot-warriors, foot-soldiers, and elephant-warriors

अश्रैःby/with those taking refuge (dependents/supporters)

रथैःby/with chariots

चand

अपिalso/even

नरद्विपाःman-elephants (elephant-like men; mighty warriors)

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

Sañjaya

ratha (chariots)

aśva (horses)

patti (infantry)

nāga (war-elephants)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Geographic Context

Sandhi Notes