Shloka 7

Gaṅgā-tīra Udaka-kriyā and Kuntī’s Disclosure of Karṇa’s Maternity

Strī-parva, Adhyāya 27

Devanagari script

यः स वीरो महेष्वासो रथयूथपयूथप:

Transliteration

yaḥ sa vīro maheṣvāso rathayūthapayūthapaḥ

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: “That very hero—mighty with the great bow—was a foremost leader among the leaders of chariot-warrior companies.”

Word by Word

• यः: who
• यः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• सः: he
• सः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• वीरः: hero, brave man
• वीरः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• महेष्वासः: great bowman (having a great bow)
• महेष्वासः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महेष्वास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• रथयूथपयूथपः: leader of leaders of chariot-troops
• रथयूथपयूथपः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथयूथपयूथप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• a heroic great-bowed warrior (unnamed in this half-verse)
• chariot-troops (ratha-yūtha)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The line highlights the ethical ideal of kṣatriya leadership: true martial excellence is not merely personal prowess (maheṣvāsa) but also responsibility and command—being capable of guiding and protecting others in organized battle formations.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Strī-parvan’s aftermath of war, Vaiśampāyana identifies a particular warrior by praising his stature—an outstanding archer and a preeminent commander among chariot divisions—setting up further description of his role or fate in the post-battle recounting.