Shloka 3

Adhyāya 36: Ghora-yuddha-varṇanam

A Clinical Description of the Intensified Engagement

Devanagari script

प्रयाते तु तत: कर्णे योधेषु मुदितेषु च

Transliteration

prayāte tu tataḥ karṇe yodheṣu muditeṣu ca

Translation

അതിനുശേഷം കർണ്ണൻ മുന്നോട്ട് നീങ്ങിയപ്പോൾ, യോദ്ധാക്കളും ആനന്ദിതരായി; അപ്പോൾ സൈന്യം ഉത്സാഹത്തോടെ മുന്നേറി.

Word by Word

• प्रयाते: when (he) had departed / upon departure
• प्रयाते: Adhikarana
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-या (धातु √या)
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• तु: but, indeed
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु

• ततः: then, thereafter
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (तद्-प्रातिपदिकात्)

• कर्णे: in/when Karna (was ...)
• कर्णे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्ण
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• योधेषु: among the warriors
• योधेषु: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: योध
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Plural

• मुदितेषु: being delighted / rejoicing
• मुदितेषु: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मुदित (from √मुद्)
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Plural

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Karṇa
• warriors (yodhāḥ)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how a single leader’s movement can transform collective morale in war; it implicitly invites ethical reflection on how enthusiasm and confidence can arise even in an unrighteous cause, showing the tension between martial spirit and dharma.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that Karṇa has departed/advanced, and the warriors are pleased and encouraged—signaling a shift in momentum and readiness for the next phase of battle.