Shloka 20

Devanagari script

आपीडकेयूरवराड्रदानि ग्रैवैयनिष्का: ससुवर्णसूत्रा:

Transliteration

āpīḍakeyūravarāḍradāni graivaiyanīṣkāḥ sa-suvarṇasūtrāḥ

Translation

Śalya speaks of splendid ornaments—diadems and armlets, and necklaces with golden threads—evoking the opulence and martial display that surround the warriors. In the ethical shadow of war, such finery underscores the contrast between outward glory and the inner cost of violence and pride.

Word by Word

आपीडdiadems, head-ornaments

केयूरarmlets

वरexcellent, splendid

आर्द्रदानिmoistened/wet (with blood/sweat)

ग्रैवेयneck-ornaments

निष्काःgold ornaments/coins (nishkas)

सwith

सुवर्णgolden (gold)

सूत्राःthreads, strings

Speaker

शल्य उवाच

Characters & Entities

Śalya

diadem (āpīḍa)

armlet (keyūra)

necklace (graiveya)

gold ornament (nīṣka)

golden thread (suvarṇasūtra)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the allure of external splendor—royal and martial ornaments—implicitly reminding that such visible glory can mask the deeper moral weight of war, where pride and display do not prevent suffering or accountability.

What is happening in the narrative?

Śalya is describing (or pointing to) the warriors’ magnificent adornments—diadems, armlets, and gold-threaded necklaces—painting a vivid battlefield or courtly scene where martial prestige is emphasized.