Shloka 20

धृतराष्ट्रस्य क्रतु-प्रवर्तनम् तथा पाण्डवानां निमन्त्रण-प्रतिवचनम्

Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Sacrifice Commences and the Pandavas’ Reply to the Invitation

Devanagari script

तत: संन्यपतन्‌ सर्वे गन्धर्वा: कौरवै: सह

Transliteration

tataḥ saṃnyapatan sarve gandharvāḥ kauravaiḥ saha

Translation

Then all the Gandharvas, together with the Kauravas, rushed headlong into the fray—an abrupt surge into conflict that underscores how pride and rivalry can swiftly turn a tense encounter into open violence.

Word by Word

• ततः: then; thereafter
• ततः: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (तद्-प्रातिपदिकात्)
• Form: अव्यय (तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त)

• संन्यपतन्: fell down; rushed down
• Type: Verb
• Root: पत् (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (अनद्यतनभूत), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• गन्धर्वाः: Gandharvas
• गन्धर्वाः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्धर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• कौरवैः: with the Kauravas
• कौरवैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: कौरव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• सह: together with
• सह: Karana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सह
• Form: अव्यय

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Gandharvas
• Kauravas

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how unchecked pride and hostility can rapidly escalate into violence; ethical restraint and discernment are crucial, especially when facing powerful opponents.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaishampayana narrates that the Gandharvas and the Kauravas collectively surge into combat, marking the moment when the confrontation becomes an active battle.