Shloka 32

रणभूमिवर्णनम् — Devāsuropama-yuddha and the ‘River’ Metaphor of the Battlefield

Devanagari script

गौतम॑ं भीमसेनो वै सोमकाश्ष महारथा:

Transliteration

gautamaṃ bhīmaseno vai somakāś ca mahārathāḥ

Translation

Sañjaya said: Bhīmasena indeed, along with Gautama and the Somaka great chariot-warriors, (were present/advanced in that encounter). The line situates Bhīma among notable allies, emphasizing the collective martial resolve and the ethical weight of comradeship in the unfolding battle.

Word by Word

• गौतमम्: Gautama (name/person)
• गौतमम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: गौतम
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• भीमसेनः: Bhimasena (Bhima)
• भीमसेनः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीमसेन
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• वै: indeed / surely
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै

• सोमकाः: the Somakas (a people/warriors)
• सोमकाः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: सोमक
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• महारथाः: great chariot-warriors
• महारथाः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: महारथ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Bhīmasena (Bhīma)
• Gautama
• Somakas

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores the dharmic and strategic importance of solidarity among righteous allies in war: renowned heroes do not act in isolation, and collective commitment strengthens both morale and purpose.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya lists key fighters—Bhīma, Gautama, and the Somaka mahārathas—marking their presence/advance in the battle sequence being reported to Dhṛtarāṣṭra.