Shloka 186

Devanagari script

अर्जुनं भीमसेनं च निहन्ताराविति ध्रुवम्‌ “मेरे मनमें यह विश्वास था कि “महारथी भीष्म और द्रोणाचार्य अर्जुन और भीमसेनको अवश्य ही मार डालेंगे

Transliteration

arjunaṃ bhīmasenaṃ ca nihantārāv iti dhruvam

Translation

Sanjaya said: “I was firmly convinced that the great chariot-warriors Bhishma and Drona would surely slay Arjuna and Bhimasena.” The line reflects the moral tension of the war: even revered elders, bound by allegiance and duty to their side, are imagined as capable of destroying the foremost champions of the opposing cause.

Word by Word

• अर्जुनम्: Arjuna (as object)
• अर्जुनम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्जुन
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• भीमसेनम्: Bhimasena (as object)
• भीमसेनम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीमसेन
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

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

• निहन्तारौ: the two slayers (would slay)
• निहन्तारौ: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: निहन्तृ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

• इति: thus (quotative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति

• ध्रुवम्: certainly, surely
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ध्रुव

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sanjaya
• Arjuna
• Bhimasena
• Bhishma
• Drona

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the grim ethical complexity of dharma in war: revered elders like Bhishma and Drona, though personally noble, may be compelled by loyalty and obligation to attempt the destruction of those who stand for a different claim to righteousness.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sanjaya reports a strong expectation—held in his mind—that Bhishma and Drona, famed as maha-rathas, would certainly kill Arjuna and Bhima. It conveys the perceived imbalance of power and the dread surrounding the Pandavas’ survival.