Shloka 18
Droṇa Encircled at Night: Coalition Advance and Battlefield Omens (द्रोणपर्यावरणं रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)
Devanagari script
पीतरक्तासितसितैरवासोभिश्न सुवेष्टित:
Transliteration
pītaraktāsitasitair avāsobhiḥ suveṣṭitaḥ
Translation
サञ्जयは言った。彼は黄・赤・黒・白の衣をきつく身に巻き、姿を整えていた。戦の陰惨な舞台では、外に現れる色としるしが、しばしば陣営や決意、あるいは儀礼の意図を告げるからである。
Word by Word
पीतwith yellow (garments)
पीत:
Karana
TypeAdjective
Rootपीत
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन
रक्तwith red (garments)
रक्त:
Karana
TypeAdjective
Rootरक्त
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन
असितwith black (garments)
असित:
Karana
TypeAdjective
Rootअसित
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन
सितैःwith white (garments)
सितैः:
Karana
TypeAdjective
Rootसित
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन
वासोभिःwith garments/robes
वासोभिः:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootवासस्
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन
नुindeed/now (emphatic particle)
नु:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootनु
सुवेष्टितःwell-wrapped/fully covered
सुवेष्टितः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootसु-वेष्टित
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन
Speaker
संजय उवाच
Character Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
War Context
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Geographic Context
Cross References
Sandhi Notes
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how external markers—colors, dress, and deliberate presentation—carry meaning in epic warfare, where identity, intention, and psychological impact are communicated not only through deeds but also through visible signs.
Sañjaya describes a figure on the battlefield as being closely wrapped in garments of multiple colors (yellow, red, black, and white), emphasizing a striking, intentional appearance within the unfolding combat scene.