Shloka 20

Devanagari script

विरथा रथिनो राजन्‌ समासाद्य परस्परम्‌

Transliteration

virathā rathino rājan samāsādya parasparam

Translation

サञ्जयは言った。「王よ、戦車の勇士たちは面と向かって相まみえ、ついには戦車を失った—近接の直戦へと投げ込まれ、そこで勝敗を決するのは、ただの装備ではなく、武勇と忍耐なのである。」

Word by Word

• विरथाः: without chariots, dismounted
• विरथाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विरथ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• रथिनः: chariot-warriors
• रथिनः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथिन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• राजन्: O king
• राजन्: Sampradana
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन्
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular

• समासाद्य: having approached, having come up to
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-√सद्
• Form: ल्यप् (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage), Prior action (having approached)

• परस्परम्: each other, mutually
• परस्परम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: परस्पर
• Form: true

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Dhṛtarāṣṭra
• rathins (chariot-warriors)
• chariots

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights a kṣatriya ideal: when external supports (like chariots and weapons) fail, one must still stand firm in courage and duty. It underscores resilience and the ethical demand to face conflict directly rather than relying solely on advantage or equipment.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that opposing chariot-fighters have closed in upon each other, and in the clash they become 'viratha'—separated from their chariots—indicating an intense engagement where the battle shifts into close quarters.