Shloka 13

Devanagari script

त॑ं तथा समरे कर्म कुर्वाणमतिमानुषम्‌ । परिवत्रुर्महाराज पञ्चालानां रथव्रजा:

Transliteration

taṁ tathā samare karma kurvāṇam atimānuṣam | parivatrur mahārāja pañcālānāṁ rathavrajāḥ ||

Translation

ಮಹಾರಾಜನೇ! ಸಮರದಲ್ಲಿ ಅವನು ಇಂತಹ ಅತಿಮಾನವ ಕೃತ್ಯಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿರುವುದನ್ನು ಕಂಡು ಪಾಂಚಾಲರ ರಥದಳಗಳು ತಿರುಗಿ ಹಿಂದೆ ಸರಿದವು।

Word by Word

तम्him

तथाthus, in that manner

समरेin battle

कर्मdeed, action

कुर्वाणम्doing, performing

अतिमानुषम्superhuman, beyond human

परिवत्रुःthe restrainer/repeller (one who wards off)

महाराजO great king

पञ्चालानाम्of the Panchalas

रथव्रजाःtroops/companies of chariots (chariot-squadrons)

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

Sañjaya

Dhṛtarāṣṭra

Pañcālas

ratha (chariot)

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 verse highlights how extraordinary, seemingly superhuman action in war can decisively affect morale and movement of troops—here causing the Pañcāla chariot formations to wheel back. Ethically, it underscores the power of visible prowess to shape collective fear, confidence, and strategic withdrawal on the battlefield.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that a warrior (implied from context) is performing astonishing feats in the battle, and in response the Pañcālas’ chariot-squadrons turn about and withdraw/retreat.