Shloka 18
Vāg-yuddha and Nimitta-darśana before the Gadāyuddha
Verbal Duel and Omens
Devanagari script
ततो भीमो महाकोटिं गदां गृह्माथ वर्मभूत्
Transliteration
tato bhīmo mahākoṭiṁ gadāṁ gṛhṇātha varmabhūt
Translation
ಸಂಜಯನು ಹೇಳಿದನು— ಆಗ ಭೀಮನು ಮಹಾಕೋಟಿ ಗದೆಯನ್ನು ಹಿಡಿದುಕೊಂಡು, ತಾನೇ ವಜ್ರಕವಚದಂತೆ ದೃಢನಾಗಿ ನಿಂತನು.
Word by Word
ततःthen, thereafter
ततः:
Adhikarana
TypeIndeclinable
Rootततः
FormAvyaya (ablatival adverb: 'from there/then')
भीमःBhima
भीमः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootभीम
FormMasculine, nominative, singular
महाकोटिम्very sharp-pointed (great-tipped)
महाकोटिम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootमहाकोटि
FormFeminine, accusative, singular
गदाम्mace
गदाम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootगदा
FormFeminine, accusative, singular
गृह्माथseized, took up
गृह्माथ:
TypeVerb
Rootग्रह्
FormPerfect (लिट्), 3rd person, singular, Parasmaipada
वर्मभूत्became (as) armor / became armored
वर्मभूत्:
TypeVerb
Rootवर्मभू
FormAorist (लुङ्), 3rd person, singular, Parasmaipada
Speaker
संजय उवाच
Characters & Entities
S
SañjayaB
BhīmaG
gadā (mace)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
The verse highlights kṣatriya resolve: in the midst of chaos, a warrior must gather strength, arm himself, and act decisively. Ethically, it reflects the Mahābhārata’s tension between necessary duty in war and the grim reality of violence.
Sañjaya describes Bhīma’s immediate action on the battlefield: he grips a formidable mace and stands fully prepared—armoured and unyielding—signaling an imminent clash or escalation.