Shloka 23

Devanagari script

त॑ तथा प्रस्थितं वीरं शालस्कन्धोरुमर्जुनम्‌

Transliteration

taṁ tathā prasthitaṁ vīraṁ śālaskandhorum arjunam

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: Thus did they behold the hero Arjuna as he set forth—his thighs like the stout trunk of a śāla tree—departing with resolute purpose. The line underscores the epic’s ethical admiration for steadfastness and disciplined action when one undertakes a difficult duty.

Word by Word

• तत्: him/that (one)
• तत्: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• तथा: thus, in that manner
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा

• प्रस्थितम्: set out, departed
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र-स्था (धातु: स्था)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• वीरम्: hero, brave man
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• शालस्कन्धोरुम्: having thighs like the trunk of a śāla tree
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शाल-स्कन्ध-ऊरु
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• अर्जुनम्: Arjuna
• अर्जुनम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्जुन
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Arjuna
• śāla tree

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse praises steadfast resolve: when a righteous task is undertaken, one should proceed with firmness and self-control. Arjuna’s physical imagery symbolizes inner strength and unwavering commitment to duty.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana describes Arjuna setting out on a journey/mission. The narration highlights his heroic bearing through a vivid epithet comparing his thighs to the solid trunk of a śāla tree.