Shloka 46

Devanagari script

ततो गान्धारकैर्गुप्तं पुष्ठैरश्वैर्जये धृतम्‌

Transliteration

tato gāndhārakair guptaṃ pṛṣṭhair aśvair jaye dhṛtam

Translation

Sañjaya said: Then, protected by the Gandhāra warriors, he was borne onward in the press of victory by swift horses from behind—shielded as the battle’s tide turned, a reminder that in war even the mighty depend on loyal guardians and disciplined support.

Word by Word

• ततः: then; thereafter
• ततः: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तद्
• Form: Avyaya (ablatival adverb: 'from there/then')

• गान्धारकैः: by the Gandharas (Gandhara warriors/men)
• गान्धारकैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: गान्धारक
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• गुप्तम्: guarded; protected
• गुप्तम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गुप्त
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular (PPP of √गुप्)

• पुष्ठैः: by strong/stout
• पुष्ठैः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुष्ठ
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• अश्वैः: by horses
• अश्वैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्व
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• जये: in victory; in the winning (state)
• जये: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: जय
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• धृतम्: held; maintained; kept
• धृतम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धृत
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular (PPP of √धृ)

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• संजय (Sañjaya)
• गान्धारक (Gāndhāra warriors)
• अश्व (horses)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the ethical reality of warfare: success is not merely personal valor but also the protective duty and loyalty of one’s supporters; leadership depends on those who guard, sustain, and act with discipline in crisis.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that a key figure (implied by context) is being protected by Gandhāra fighters and borne along by horses from the rear as the battle situation moves toward a victorious advance.