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Shloka 23

दुर्योधन–द्रोणसंवादः

Arjuna-vīrya-prasaṃśā and renewed battle formation

बाहुभि: क्षत्रिया: शूरा वाम्भि: शूरा द्विजातय: । धनुषा फाल्गुन: शूर: कर्ण: शूरो मनोरथै:

bāhubhiḥ kṣatriyāḥ śūrā vāgbhiḥ śūrā dvijātayaḥ | dhanuṣā phālgunaḥ śūraḥ karṇaḥ śūro manorathaiḥ ||

サンジャヤは言った。「クシャトリヤの勇士は腕力によって武勇を示し、二度生まれの者(ドヴィジャ)は言葉によってその力量を示す。パールグナ(アルジュナ)は弓において勇者であり、カルナは野望と策謀の力によって勇者である。」

बाहुभिःwith (their) arms
बाहुभिः:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootबाहु
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Plural
क्षत्रियाःKshatriyas, warriors
क्षत्रियाः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootक्षत्रिय
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
शूराःbrave, heroic
शूराः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootशूर
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
वाक्भिःwith words/speech
वाक्भिः:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootवाक्
FormFeminine, Instrumental, Plural
शूराःbrave, heroic
शूराः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootशूर
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
द्विजातयःtwice-born (Brahmins etc.)
द्विजातयः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootद्विजाति
FormFeminine, Nominative, Plural
धनुषाwith a bow
धनुषा:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootधनुस्
FormNeuter, Instrumental, Singular
फाल्गुनःPhalguna (Arjuna)
फाल्गुनः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootफाल्गुन
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
शूरःheroic
शूरः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootशूर
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
कर्णःKarna
कर्णः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootकर्ण
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
शूरःheroic
शूरः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootशूर
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
मनोरथैःwith desires/intentions
मनोरथैः:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootमनोरथ
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Plural

संजय उवाच

S
Sañjaya
K
Kṣatriyas
D
Dvijātis (twice-born)
P
Phālguna (Arjuna)
K
Karṇa
B
Bow (dhanuṣ)

Educational Q&A

The verse contrasts forms of excellence according to role and disposition: warriors prove valor through disciplined action and strength, the twice-born through responsible speech and learning, Arjuna through skilled martial practice, and Karṇa through powerful ambition—implicitly warning that ambition without right orientation can rival or distort true heroism.

Sañjaya characterizes the leading groups and champions in the war: he notes how different classes manifest ‘śaurya’ (heroism), then singles out Arjuna as bow-hero and Karṇa as driven by intense resolve and aspirations, framing their contrasting strengths within the unfolding battle of the Droṇa Parva.