Shloka 3163

Bhīmasena’s Kalinga Engagement and the Approach of Bhīṣma (भीमसेन-कालिङ्ग-संग्रामः)

Devanagari script

विकोशैर्विमलै: खड्गैरभिजग्मु: परान्‌ रणे | जो चमकीली तलवारें पहले चितकबरे अथवा साधारण व्याप्र-चर्मकी बनी हुई म्यानोंमें बंद रहती थीं

Transliteration

sañjaya uvāca | vikośair vimalaiḥ khaḍgair abhijagmuḥ parān raṇe |

Translation

サञ्जयは言った。輝く、抜き放たれた、汚れなき剣を手に、戦士たちは戦場で敵へと迫り、間合いを詰めて討ち伏せた。かつて斑のある虎皮、あるいは普通の皮で作られた鞘に収められていた光る刀剣は、今や鞘から引き抜かれ、その刃によって勇士たちは戦場で敵方を斬り倒していた。この光景は戦いの陰鬱な決意を示す。ひとたび武器が抜かれれば、技と勇は殺傷の行為へと転じ、クシャトリヤの戦士の法（kṣātra-dharma）が人々を正面対決へと駆り立てるのである。

Word by Word

• विकोशैः: with unsheathed (drawn out)
• विकोशैः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विकोश
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• विमलैः: with spotless/bright
• विमलैः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विमल
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• खड्गैः: with swords
• खड्गैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: खड्ग
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• अभिजग्मुः: they went up to/attacked
• अभिजग्मुः: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-गम्
• Form: Perfect (Liṭ), Third, Plural

• परान्: the enemies/others
• परान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• रणे: in battle
• रणे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: रण
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sanjaya
• khaḍga (sword)
• raṇa (battlefield)
• parāḥ (foes/enemies)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the irreversible moral weight of entering battle: once swords are drawn, intent becomes action. It reflects kṣātra-dharma—courage and duty in war—while implicitly reminding that such duty carries grave consequences.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sanjaya describes warriors drawing their gleaming swords and advancing directly against opposing fighters on the battlefield, engaging in close combat and killing enemies.