Shloka 20

Vāg-yuddha and Nimitta-darśana before the Gadāyuddha

Verbal Duel and Omens

Devanagari script

वर्मभ्यां संयतो वीरी भीमदुर्योधनावुभौ

Transliteration

varmabhyāṃ saṃyato vīrī bhīmaduryodhanāv ubhau

Translation

സഞ്ജയൻ പറഞ്ഞു—ഭീമനും ദുര്യോധനനും ആയ ആ രണ്ടു വീരന്മാർ കവചങ്ങളിൽ കെട്ടുറപ്പോടെ ബന്ധിതരായി, പൂർണ്ണസംയമത്തോടെ യുദ്ധത്തിനൊരുങ്ങി പരസ്പരം നേരെ നിന്നു।

Word by Word

• वर्मभ्याम्: with/by two armours
• वर्मभ्याम्: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्मन्
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Dual

• संयतः: restrained, controlled
• संयतः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम्-यम्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• वीरी: two heroes
• वीरी: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वीर
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

• भीम-दुर्योधनौ: Bhima and Duryodhana
• भीम-दुर्योधनौ: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीम + दुर्योधन
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

• उभौ: both
• उभौ: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उभ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Bhīma
• Duryodhana
• armour (varman)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Even in a conflict driven by anger and ambition, the verse highlights saṃyama—controlled readiness and disciplined conduct. Martial power is portrayed as something that must be governed and prepared, not merely unleashed.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya describes Bhīma and Duryodhana as both armoured and fully set for combat, marking the tense preparation and mutual confrontation in their decisive battle sequence.