Shloka 43

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

Devanagari script

तयोरनवरयो राजन्‌ समरे युध्यमानयो: । भीमो5भवन्महाशब्दो वज्रपर्वतयोरिव

Transliteration

tayor anavarayo rājan samare yudhyamānayoḥ | bhīmo 'bhavan mahāśabdo vajra-parvatayor iva ||

Translation

ರಾಜನ್! ಸಮರದಲ್ಲಿ ಒಮ್ಮೆಯೂ ತಗ್ಗದೆ ಹೋರಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಆ ಇಬ್ಬರ ನಡುವೆ ವಜ್ರವು ಪರ್ವತಕ್ಕೆ ಅಪ್ಪಳಿಸಿದಂತೆ ಭೀಕರ ಮಹಾಶಬ್ದ ಉದ್ಭವಿಸಿತು.

Word by Word

• तयोः: of those two
• तयोः: Adhikarana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: masculine, genitive, dual

• अनवरयोः: of the two unexcelled/unsurpassed
• अनवरयोः: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनवर
• Form: masculine, genitive, dual

• राजन्: O king
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन्
• Form: masculine, vocative, singular

• समरे: in battle
• समरे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: समर
• Form: masculine, locative, singular

• युध्यमानयोः: of the two fighting
• युध्यमानयोः: Adhikarana
• Type: Verb
• Root: युध्
• Form: शानच् (present active participle), parasmaipada (active), masculine, genitive, dual

• भीमः: Bhima
• भीमः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीम
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

• अभवत्: became/was
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू
• Form: imperfect (लङ्), 3rd, singular, parasmaipada

• महाशब्दः: a great sound/roar
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाशब्द
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

• वज्रपर्वतयोः: of the two thunderbolt-like mountains
• वज्रपर्वतयोः: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: वज्रपर्वत
• Form: masculine, genitive, dual

• इव: as/like
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Dhṛtarāṣṭra
• vajra (thunderbolt)
• parvata (mountain)
• samara (battlefield)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the ferocity and unwavering resolve that can dominate warfare: when opponents refuse to yield, the conflict escalates into overwhelming force and destruction. Ethically, it hints at how steadfastness, if untempered by discernment and restraint, can become mere obstinacy that amplifies suffering.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that two warriors are locked in an unyielding fight on the battlefield. Their clash produces a tremendous, frightening sound, compared to the impact of a thunderbolt against a mountain.