Shloka 30

Śalya Appointed as Karṇa’s Sārathi; Discourse on Praise, Blame, and Beneficial Counsel (कर्णस्य शल्यसारथ्यं तथा स्तवनिन्दाविचारः)

Devanagari script

अथान्यद्‌ धनुरादाय समार्गणगुणं प्रभु:

Transliteration

athānyad dhanur ādāya samārgaṇaguṇaṁ prabhuḥ

Translation

मग त्या पराक्रमी प्रभूने दुसरे धनुष्य उचलले—प्रत्यंचा चढवलेले, रणासाठी सज्ज।

Word by Word

• अथ: then
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ

• अन्यत्: another (one)
• अन्यत्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• धनुः: bow
• धनुः: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: धनुस्
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• आदाय: having taken
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + दा
• Form: ल्यप् (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage)

• समार्गणगुणम्: with the bowstring properly fitted/strung for battle
• समार्गणगुणम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: समार्गणगुण
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• प्रभुः: the lord/hero
• प्रभुः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभु
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• bow (dhanuḥ)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights unwavering resolve and preparedness: when one instrument fails or circumstances shift, a warrior committed to duty adapts without abandoning responsibility—an ethical reminder of steadiness amid crisis.

What is happening in the narrative?

In Sañjaya’s battlefield narration, a powerful warrior (prabhuḥ) takes up a different bow, already strung and combat-ready, indicating immediate continuation of fighting and tactical readiness.