Mahabharata — Virata Parva, Shloka 75

Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 22 — Draupadī’s Abduction Attempt and Bhīma’s Suppression of the Kīcakas

Devanagari script

नदन्तं च महानादं भिन्नभेरीसमस्वनम्‌ | भ्रामयामास सुचिरं विस्फुरन्तमचेतसम्‌

Transliteration

nadantaṃ ca mahānādaṃ bhinnabherīsamasvanam | bhrāmayāmāsa suciraṃ visphurantam acetasaṃ ||

Translation

彼は割れた大太鼓のように歪んだ声で大音声に咆哮し、縛めを解こうと狂ったようにもがき、意識も薄れかけていた。そのさなか、ビーマセーナは長いあいだ彼を振り回し続けた。

Word by Word

• नदन्तम्: roaring, bellowing
• नदन्तम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नद् (धातु) → नदत् (शतृ-प्रत्यय)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• महानादम्: of great roar
• महानादम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महानाद
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• भिन्नभेरीसमस्वनम्: having a sound like a split drum
• भिन्नभेरीसमस्वनम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भिन्न-भेरी-सम-स्वन
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• भ्रामयामास: caused to whirl / whirled (him)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भ्रम् (धातु) → भ्रामयामास (णिच् + लिट्)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), Third, Singular

• सुचिरम्: for a long time
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सुचिर

• विस्फुरन्तम्: struggling, twitching
• विस्फुरन्तम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विस्फुर् (धातु) → विस्फुरत् (शतृ-प्रत्यय)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• अचेतसम्: senseless, unconscious
• अचेतसम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अचेतस्
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Bhīmasena
• bherī (war-drum/kettle-drum)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the principle that when force is required to restrain wrongdoing in a battle context, it should be decisive and effective. Bhīma’s action represents the swift neutralization of a threat, emphasizing protection and the maintenance of order (dharma) amid conflict.

What is happening in the narrative?

A combatant, roaring loudly with a harsh, drum-like sound and convulsing as consciousness fades, is seized and spun around for a long time by Bhīmasena. Vaiśampāyana narrates the opponent’s helpless state and Bhīma’s overpowering control.