Shloka 18

Devanagari script

अन्योन्यस्य धनुश्कछित्त्वा हयान्‌ हत्वा च भारत । विरथावसियुद्धाय समीयतुरमर्षणौ,भारत! दोनोंने एक-दूसरेका धनुष काटकर घोड़ोंको भी मार डाला और रथहीन हो दोनों ही एक-दूसरेपर कुपित हो परस्पर खड्गयुद्धके लिये आमने-सामने आये

Transliteration

anyonyasya dhanuṣkṛt chittvā hayān hatvā ca bhārata | virathāv asi-yuddhāya samīyatur amarṣaṇau ||

Translation

サンジャヤは言った。「おお、バーラタよ。互いの弓を断ち、馬を討ち果たしたのち、二人は戦車を失い、怒りに燃えながら、剣で面と向かって斬り結ばんとして互いに迫った。」

Word by Word

अन्योन्यस्यof each other

धनुःbow

छित्त्वाhaving cut

हयान्horses

हत्वाhaving slain

चand

भारतO Bharata

विरथौboth without chariots

असि-युद्धायfor sword-fight

समीयतुःthey came together / approached

अमर्षणौboth furious / intolerant

भारतO Bharata

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

Sañjaya

Bhārata (Dhṛtarāṣṭra as addressee)

bow

horses

chariot

sword

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the kṣatriya ethos of relentless engagement in battle: when primary weapons and chariots are lost, warriors continue with whatever means remain. Ethically, it portrays how anger (amarṣa) can intensify conflict, shifting from ranged combat to close, personal violence.

What is happening in the narrative?

Two opposing warriors disable each other’s bows, kill the horses, and become chariotless. Enraged, they close the distance and prepare for direct sword combat.