Shloka 19

Daiva–Puruṣakāra Discourse and the Elephant-Corps Engagement (भीमगजानीक-सम्भ्रान्ति)

Devanagari script

ततो भीमो महाबाहुर्विधुन्वन्‌ रुचिरं धनु:

Transliteration

tato bhīmo mahābāhur vidhunvan ruciraṃ dhanuḥ

Translation

അപ്പോൾ മഹാബാഹുവായ ഭീമൻ തന്റെ മനോഹരമായ ധനുസ്സിനെ കുലുക്കി.

Word by Word

• ततः: then; thereafter
• ततः: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तद्
• Form: Avyaya (ablatival adverb: 'from that/then')

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

• महाबाहुः: the mighty-armed (one)
• महाबाहुः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाबाहु
• Form: Masculine, nominative, singular

• विधुन्वन्: shaking; brandishing
• विधुन्वन्: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + धुन्
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ), masculine nominative singular

• रुचिरम्: beautiful; splendid
• रुचिरम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रुचिर
• Form: Neuter, accusative, singular

• धनुः: bow
• धनुः: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: धनुस्
• Form: Neuter, accusative, singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sanjaya
• Bhima
• bow (dhanuḥ)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the kshatriya ideal of steadfastness: inner resolve must translate into disciplined action. Bhima’s brandishing of the bow symbolizes readiness to uphold duty amid the ethical gravity of war.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sanjaya narrates a battlefield moment: Bhima, described as mighty-armed, shakes/brandishes his splendid bow, signaling preparation to engage and intensifying the martial atmosphere.