Shloka 19

Daiva–Puruṣakāra Discourse and the Elephant-Corps Engagement (भीमगजानीक-सम्भ्रान्ति)

Devanagari script

ततो भीमो महाबाहुर्विधुन्वन्‌ रुचिरं धनु:

Transliteration

tato bhīmo mahābāhur vidhunvan ruciraṃ dhanuḥ

Translation

サンジャヤは言った。すると大腕のビーマは、輝く弓を揺り動かした――備えと決意を告げる明確な所作であり、戦の道義の重みと己が誓いが行動へと迫る時であった。

Word by Word

• ततः: then; thereafter
• ततः: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तद्
• Form: Avyaya (ablatival adverb: 'from that/then')

• भीमः: Bhima
• भीमः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीम
• Form: Masculine, nominative, singular

• महाबाहुः: the mighty-armed (one)
• महाबाहुः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाबाहु
• Form: Masculine, nominative, singular

• विधुन्वन्: shaking; brandishing
• विधुन्वन्: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + धुन्
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ), masculine nominative singular

• रुचिरम्: beautiful; splendid
• रुचिरम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रुचिर
• Form: Neuter, accusative, singular

• धनुः: bow
• धनुः: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: धनुस्
• Form: Neuter, accusative, singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sanjaya
• Bhima
• bow (dhanuḥ)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the kshatriya ideal of steadfastness: inner resolve must translate into disciplined action. Bhima’s brandishing of the bow symbolizes readiness to uphold duty amid the ethical gravity of war.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sanjaya narrates a battlefield moment: Bhima, described as mighty-armed, shakes/brandishes his splendid bow, signaling preparation to engage and intensifying the martial atmosphere.