Shloka 253

Nakula–Śakuni Duel and the Night Battle; Śikhaṇḍin–Kṛpa Engagement (नकुल-शकुनियुद्धं तथा रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)

Devanagari script

उत्तमाभिजनीौ वीरौ कुरुवृष्णियशस्करौ । वे दोनों वीर उत्तम कुलमें उत्पन्न हुए थे। एक कुरुकुलकी कीर्तिका विस्तार कर रहा था तो दूसरा वृष्णिवंशका यश बढ़ा रहा था। उन दोनोंने एक-दूसरेपर पृथक्‌-पृथक्‌ अस्त्र- शस्त्रोंकी वर्षा की

Transliteration

uttamābhijanī vīrau kuruvṛṣṇiyaśaskarau |

Translation

サञ्जयは言った。あの二人の勇士は最も高貴なる血統に生まれ—一人はクル（Kuru）家の名声を広げ、もう一人はヴリシュニ（Vṛṣṇi）族の誉れを高めていた。彼らは互いに、順番に、またそれぞれの技をもって、さまざまな武器と飛び道具の雨を浴びせ合った。

Word by Word

• उत्तमाभिजनी: of excellent lineage
• उत्तमाभिजनी: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तमाभिजनिन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

• वीरौ: two heroes
• वीरौ: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

• कुरुवृष्णियशस्करौ: enhancers of the fame of the Kurus and the Vrishnis (respectively)
• कुरुवृष्णियशस्करौ: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुरुवृष्णियशस्कर
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Kuru dynasty
• Vṛṣṇi clan
• weapons (astra-śastra)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of safeguarding one’s lineage-honor and reputation (yaśas) through valor, while also hinting at the ethical tension of war: glory is pursued through violence, and fame becomes a motivating force within dharma-bound conflict.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya describes two eminent warriors—one representing Kuru prestige and the other Vṛṣṇi renown—engaging in a fierce duel, hurling varied weapons and missiles at one another in alternating volleys.