Shloka 35

अध्याय २६ — शल्यस्य सारथ्य-नियोजनं, कर्णस्य प्रस्थानं, उत्पातदर्शनं च

Chapter 26: Śalya appointed as charioteer; Karṇa’s departure; portents

Devanagari script

सुसत्रग्वीणि सुवासांसि चन्दनेनोक्षितानि च

Transliteration

susatragvīṇi suvāsāṃsi candanenokṣitāni ca

Translation

Sañjaya said: “(They brought) fine garlands and excellent garments, all anointed with sandalwood.” The line evokes the courtly, ritualized language of honor—objects of fragrance and adornment used to receive, celebrate, or consecrate someone, even amid the grim moral atmosphere of war.

Word by Word

• सुसत्रग्वीणि: well-garlanded / having good garlands
• सुसत्रग्वीणि: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुसत्रग्विन्
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Plural

• सुवासांसि: well-clad / having fine garments
• सुवासांसि: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुवासस्
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Plural

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• चन्दनेन: with sandalwood (paste)
• चन्दनेन: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: चन्दन
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• उक्षितानि: sprinkled/anointed
• उक्षितानि: Karma
• Type: Verb
• Root: उक्ष्
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Plural

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• संजय (Sañjaya)
• चन्दन (sandalwood)
• माला/स्रग्वी (garlands)
• वस्त्र (garments)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how external honors—garlands, fine clothes, sandalwood—function as markers of respect and auspicious reception. In the Mahābhārata’s war setting, such ceremonial gestures can underscore the tension between outward splendor and the inward ethical crisis of conflict.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya, narrating events to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, describes the presentation or presence of ceremonial items—garlands and garments perfumed/anointed with sandalwood—suggesting a formal honoring, reception, or preparation connected to the unfolding war episode in Karṇa Parva.