Shloka 33

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

Devanagari script

आर्षभे चर्मणी चित्रे प्रगृह् विपुले शुभे

Transliteration

ārṣabhe carmaṇī citre pragṛhya vipule śubhe

Translation

ಸಂಜಯನು ಹೇಳಿದನು: ಆಗ ಅವನು ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ ವೃಷಭದ ಚರ್ಮದಿಂದ ಮಾಡಿದ, ವಿಚಿತ್ರ ಗುರುತುಗಳಿಂದ ಅಲಂಕರಿಸಲ್ಪಟ್ಟ, ವಿಶಾಲವೂ ಶುಭಕರವೂ ಆದ ಚರ್ಮವನ್ನು (ಗುರಾಣಿಯನ್ನು) ಹಿಡಿದನು—ಯುದ್ಧಸಿದ್ಧತೆಯ ವರ್ಣನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹೇಳಿದಂತೆ।

Word by Word

आर्षभेon/at (something) of bull(-hide); made of bull-hide

चर्मणीon the hide/leather

चित्रेvariegated/ornate

प्रगृह्यhaving seized/taken up

विपुलेbroad/large

शुभेauspicious/beautiful

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

Sañjaya

bull-hide/leather (carman)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The line highlights the concrete, material side of dharma-in-war: warriors rely on well-made, auspicious equipment, and the narrative underscores preparedness and disciplined action amid conflict.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya is describing a warrior’s action of taking up a broad, fine bull-hide—likely as protective gear or a martial accessory—within the ongoing battlefield account in Droṇa Parva.