Shloka 37

Kailāsa-darśana, Badarī-vāsa, and Sarasvatī–Dvaitavana Transition (कैलासदर्शन–बदरीवास–सरस्वतीद्वैतवनगमनम्)

Devanagari script

विचित्रमुकुटापीडा विचित्रकवचध्वजा:

Transliteration

vicitramukuṭāpīḍā vicitrakavacadhvajāḥ

Translation

അർജുനൻ പറഞ്ഞു—“അവരുടെ ശിരസ്സുകളിൽ അത്ഭുതമായ മുകുടങ്ങളും കിരീടങ്ങളും; അവരുടെ കവചങ്ങളും ധ്വജങ്ങളും നാനാവർണ്ണങ്ങളാൽ വിചിത്രമായി അലങ്കരിക്കപ്പെട്ടിരിക്കുന്നു।”

Word by Word

• विचित्र-मुकुट-आपीडाः: those whose diadems/crowns are variegated/wondrous
• विचित्र-मुकुट-आपीडाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विचित्रमुकुटापीड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• विचित्र-कवच-ध्वजाः: those whose armor and banners are variegated/wondrous
• विचित्र-कवच-ध्वजाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विचित्रकवचध्वज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

Speaker

अजुन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Arjuna
• crowns/diadems (mukuṭa, āpīḍa)
• armor (kavaca)
• banners/standards (dhvaja)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse foregrounds the contrast between outward martial magnificence (crowns, armor, banners) and the deeper question of dharma: visible power and splendor can impress, but ethical standing is determined by conduct and righteousness rather than ornamentation.

What is happening in the narrative?

Arjuna is describing a group of warriors or royal figures he observes—identifying them by their distinctive regalia and military insignia. The description functions as a visual cue in the scene, emphasizing their status and readiness.