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Shloka 37

Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rājasūya Resolve and the Slaying of Jarāsandha

ते वै गदे भुजजवेन निपात्यमाने अन्योन्यतोंऽसकटिपादकरोरुजत्रुम् । चूर्णीबभूवतुरुपेत्य यथार्कशाखे संयुध्यतोर्द्विरदयोरिव दीप्तमन्व्यो: ॥ ३७ ॥

te vai gade bhuja-javena nipātyamāne anyonyato ’ṁsa-kaṭi-pāda-karoru-jatrum cūrṇī-babhūvatur upetya yathārka-śākhe saṁyudhyator dviradayor iva dīpta-manvyoḥ

അവർ ഇരുവരും ഭുജവേഗത്തോടെ ഗദകൾ വീശി പരസ്പരം ഭുജം, കടി, പാദം, കൈ, തുട, ജത്രു എന്നിവിടങ്ങളിൽ പ്രഹരിച്ചു. ആ പ്രഹാരങ്ങളിൽ ഗദകൾ, കോപിച്ച രണ്ടു ആനകൾ അർക്കവൃക്ഷശാഖകളാൽ ഏറ്റുമുട്ടുമ്പോൾ ശാഖകൾ ചിതറുന്നതുപോലെ, ചൂർണ്ണമായി പൊട്ടിപ്പോയി।

tethose two
te:
Visheshana (Adjective to gade)
TypeNoun
Roottad (तद्)
FormFeminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Dual
vaiindeed
vai:
None
TypeIndeclinable
Rootvai (वै)
FormEmphatic particle
gadeclubs
gade:
Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootgadā (गदा)
FormFeminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Dual
bhujajavenaby the speed/force of arms
bhujajavena:
Karana (Instrument/करण)
TypeNoun
Rootbhujajava (भुजजव)
FormMasculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular
nipātyamānebeing struck down / wielded
nipātyamāne:
Visheshana (Adjective)
TypeAdjective
Rootni + pat (नि + पत्)
FormCausative Present Passive Participle (Shanach); Feminine, Nominative, Dual
anyonyataḥagainst each other
anyonyataḥ:
Apadana/Hetu context
TypeIndeclinable
Rootanyonyatas (अन्योन्यतस्)
FormAdverbial suffix -tasil
aṁsakaṭipādakarorujatrumshoulders, hips, feet, hands, thighs, and collarbones
aṁsakaṭipādakarorujatrum:
Karma (Object/कर्म) of upetya
TypeNoun
Rootaṁsakaṭipādakarorujatru (अंसकटिपादकरोरुजत्रु)
FormNeuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (Samahara Dvandva)
cūrṇībabhūvatuḥbecame shattered / pulverized
cūrṇībabhūvatuḥ:
Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootcūrṇībhū (चूर्णीभू)
FormLit Lakara (Perfect), 3rd Person (Prathama), Dual; Chvi-pratyaya formation
upetyahaving approached / collided with
upetya:
Purvakala Kriya
TypeIndeclinable
Rootupa + i (उप + इ)
FormLyap Pratyaya (Gerund/Absolutive)
yathājust as
yathā:
None
TypeIndeclinable
Rootyathā (यथा)
FormParticle of comparison
arkaśākhetwo branches of the Arka plant
arkaśākhe:
Upamana (Object of comparison)
TypeNoun
Rootarkaśākhā (अर्कशाखा)
FormFeminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Dual
saṁyudhyatoḥof those fighting
saṁyudhyatoḥ:
Visheshana (Adjective)
TypeAdjective
Rootsam + yudh (सम् + युध्)
FormPresent Active Participle (Shatri); Masculine, Genitive, Dual
dviradayoḥof two elephants
dviradayoḥ:
Sambandha (Relation)
TypeNoun
Rootdvirada (द्विरद)
FormMasculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Dual
ivalike
iva:
None
TypeIndeclinable
Rootiva (इव)
FormParticle of comparison
dīptamanyvoḥof inflamed anger / enraged
dīptamanyvoḥ:
Visheshana (Adjective)
TypeAdjective
Rootdīptamanyu (दीप्तमन्यु)
FormMasculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Dual
B
Bhīma
J
Jarāsandha

FAQs

This verse vividly portrays their close-range club fight—both warriors repeatedly striking each other’s limbs and vital joints with tremendous speed and force, like two furious elephants locked in combat.

Jarāsandha had oppressed the earth and imprisoned many kings; Kṛṣṇa arranged a lawful confrontation in which Bhīma would face Jarāsandha directly, leading toward the tyrant’s removal and the kings’ relief.

It highlights determination and focus in confronting formidable obstacles—while also reminding readers that in the Bhagavatam, true victory comes when strength is aligned with dharma and guided by divine wisdom.