Shloka 36

Draupadī-apaharaṇa-saṃdeśaḥ

Report of Draupadī’s Abduction and the Pāṇḍavas’ Pursuit

Devanagari script

भीष्मद्रोणकृपाद्याश्न दानवाक्रान्तचेतस:

Transliteration

bhīṣma-droṇa-kṛpādyāś ca dānavākrānta-cetasaḥ

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: “Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Kṛpa, and the others—having their minds overrun and seized by demonic impulses—(acted under that darkened influence).”

Word by Word

• भीष्मद्रोणकृपाद्याः: Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Kṛpa and others
• भीष्मद्रोणकृपाद्याः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीष्म-द्रोण-कृप-आदि
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• दानवाक्रान्तचेतसः: whose minds are overpowered/possessed by the Dānavas
• दानवाक्रान्तचेतसः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दानव-आक्रान्त-चेतस्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Bhīṣma
• Droṇa
• Kṛpa
• Dānavas

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Even revered elders and teachers can be ethically compromised when the mind is overwhelmed by destructive impulses; the verse highlights the danger of moral delusion and the need for vigilance in dharma, especially in moments that demand counsel and restraint.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana characterizes Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Kṛpa, and others as acting with minds seized by a demonic or destructive influence, framing their stance or conduct in the episode as arising from a clouded ethical perception rather than clear discernment.