Shloka 37

Devanagari script

क्षिप्रं संनद्धकवचौ सखडूगावात्तकार्मुकौ | मामास्थाय प्रतीक्षेतां रथवर्यो परंतपौ,“आप दोनों रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ और शत्रुओंको संताप देनेवाले वीर हैं। शीघ्र ही कवच बाँधकर खड्ग और धनुष लेकर रथपर बैठ जाइये तथा मेरी प्रतीक्षा कीजिये”

Transliteration

kṣipraṃ saṃnaddha-kavacau sa-khaḍgau ātta-kārmukau | mām āsthāya pratīkṣetāṃ ratha-varyau paraṃtapau ||

Translation

Sañjaya said: “You two—foremost among charioteers and fierce tormentors of enemies—quickly fasten your armor, take up your swords and bows, mount the chariot, and wait for me.” The command underscores the urgency and discipline of wartime readiness, where valor is framed as swift, orderly action under a trusted leader’s direction.

Word by Word

क्षिप्रम्quickly

संनद्धhaving fastened/put on

कवचौarmours

सwith

खड्गौswords

आत्तhaving taken/held

कार्मुकौbows

माम्me

आस्थायhaving mounted/ascended

प्रतीक्षेताम्let the two (of you) wait

रथवर्यौtwo excellent charioteers/warriors

परंतपौtwo tormentors of foes

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

Sañjaya

chariot (ratha)

armor (kavaca)

sword (khaḍga)

bow (kārmuka)

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 disciplined urgency in a martial context: true prowess is not only bravery but prompt preparedness, proper equipment, and coordinated action under a responsible command.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya issues a direct instruction to two eminent chariot-warriors: arm themselves immediately (armor, sword, bow), mount the chariot, and remain ready while awaiting his arrival or further direction.