Shloka 30

Śalya Appointed as Karṇa’s Sārathi; Discourse on Praise, Blame, and Beneficial Counsel (कर्णस्य शल्यसारथ्यं तथा स्तवनिन्दाविचारः)

Devanagari script

अथान्यद्‌ धनुरादाय समार्गणगुणं प्रभु:

Transliteration

athānyad dhanur ādāya samārgaṇaguṇaṁ prabhuḥ

Translation

Sañjaya said: Then the mighty lord took up another bow, fully fitted with its bowstring and ready for battle—signaling steadfast resolve and the unbroken momentum of duty amid the harsh ethics of war.

Word by Word

• अथ: then
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ

• अन्यत्: another (one)
• अन्यत्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• धनुः: bow
• धनुः: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: धनुस्
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• आदाय: having taken
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + दा
• Form: ल्यप् (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage)

• समार्गणगुणम्: with the bowstring properly fitted/strung for battle
• समार्गणगुणम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: समार्गणगुण
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• प्रभुः: the lord/hero
• प्रभुः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभु
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• bow (dhanuḥ)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights unwavering resolve and preparedness: when one instrument fails or circumstances shift, a warrior committed to duty adapts without abandoning responsibility—an ethical reminder of steadiness amid crisis.

What is happening in the narrative?

In Sañjaya’s battlefield narration, a powerful warrior (prabhuḥ) takes up a different bow, already strung and combat-ready, indicating immediate continuation of fighting and tactical readiness.