Shloka 10

Karṇa’s Camp-Council Discourse: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Lament, Sañjaya’s Counsel, and Karṇa’s Request for Śalya

Book 8, Chapter 22

Devanagari script

ततस्तं निशितं खड्गमाविध्य युधि सत्वर: । धनुश्नान्यत्‌ समादाय शरं जग्राह वीर्यवान्‌

Transliteration

tatastaṃ niśitaṃ khaḍgam āvidhya yudhi satvaraḥ | dhanuḥ anyat samādāya śaraṃ jagrāha vīryavān ||

Translation

Sañjaya said: Then, swiftly in the midst of battle, the mighty warrior brandished that keen-edged sword; taking up another bow, he seized an arrow—showing unbroken resolve and readiness to continue the fight despite the shifting fortunes of war.

Word by Word

• ततः: then, thereafter
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः

• तम्: that (him/it)
• तम्: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: masculine, accusative, singular

• निशितम्: sharpened
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निशित
• Form: masculine, accusative, singular

• खड्गम्: sword
• खड्गम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: खड्ग
• Form: masculine, accusative, singular

• आविध्य: having brandished/whirled
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि√धि (विध्) with आ-
• Form: absolutive (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), active

• युधि: in battle
• युधि: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: युध्
• Form: feminine, locative, singular

• सत्वरः: swift, in haste
• सत्वरः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत्वर
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

• धनुः: bow
• धनुः: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: धनुस्
• Form: neuter, accusative, singular

• अन्यत्: another
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य
• Form: neuter, accusative, singular

• समादाय: having taken up
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ√दा (दा) with सम्-आ-
• Form: absolutive (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), active

• शरम्: arrow
• शरम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: शर
• Form: masculine, accusative, singular

• जग्राह: took, seized
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ग्रह्
• Form: perfect (लिट्), third, singular, parasmaipada

• वीर्यवान्: valiant, powerful
• वीर्यवान्: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वीर्यवत्
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• संजय (Sañjaya)
• खड्ग (sword)
• धनुः (bow)
• शर (arrow)
• युद्ध (battlefield/combat)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness: even amid danger and rapid changes in combat, a warrior must remain composed, resourceful, and ready to act—switching weapons and continuing the struggle without hesitation.

What is happening in the narrative?

In Sañjaya’s report of the battle, a valiant fighter quickly brandishes a sharp sword and then takes up another bow and an arrow, indicating an immediate tactical shift and continued engagement in the fight.