Shloka 20

Droṇa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna-yuddha (द्रोण-धृष्टद्युम्न-युद्धम्) — Tactical duel and allied interventions

Devanagari script

तौ वीक्ष्य तु महात्मानौ कृतिनौ चित्रयोधिनौ

Transliteration

tau vīkṣya tu mahātmānau kṛtinau citrayodhinau

Translation

ಸಂಜಯನು ಹೇಳಿದನು—ಆ ಇಬ್ಬರು ಮಹಾತ್ಮರನ್ನು—ಕೃತಿನರು, ಸಿದ್ಧಹಸ್ತರು, ವಿಚಿತ್ರ ಯೋಧರು—ನೋಡಿದಾಗ ರಣಾಂಗಣದ ದೃಶ್ಯವೇ ಅವರ ಸನ್ನಿಧಾನ ಮತ್ತು ಪರಾಕ್ರಮದ ಕಡೆಗೆ ತಿರುಗಿತು; ಮುಂದಿನ ಸಮರದ ಧರ್ಮಭಾರವು ಅವರ ತೇಜಸ್ಸಿನಿಂದ ಇನ್ನಷ್ಟು ಸ್ಪಷ್ಟವಾಯಿತು।

Word by Word

• तौ: those two (them)
• तौ: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

• वीक्ष्य: having seen
• Type: Verb
• Root: वीक्ष्
• Form: ल्यप् (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral for gerund)

• तु: but/indeed
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु

• महात्मानौ: the two great-souled ones
• महात्मानौ: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: महात्मन्
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Dual

• कृतिनौ: the two accomplished/able ones
• कृतिनौ: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृतिन्
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Dual

• चित्रयोधिनौ: the two wondrous/varied fighters
• चित्रयोधिनौ: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चित्रयोधिन्
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Dual

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• two great warriors (unnamed in this pāda)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores the ethical tension of war: even when combat is imminent, the narrative invites recognition of the opponents’ nobility and competence, reminding the listener that dharma in battle includes clear-sighted appraisal, restraint, and respect for worthy adversaries.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya describes a moment of observation on the battlefield: attention is drawn to two eminent warriors—portrayed as great-souled and exceptionally skilled—whose presence signals the seriousness and grandeur of the conflict about to unfold.