Shloka 27

Rajo-dhūli-saṃmūḍha-saṅgrāmaḥ

The Dust-Obscured Battle and Mutual Charges

Devanagari script

महता रथसंघेन समन्तात्‌ परिरक्षित:

Transliteration

mahatā rathasaṅghena samantāt parirakṣitaḥ

Translation

Sañjaya berkata: Dia dilindungi dari segenap arah oleh himpunan kereta perang yang besar.

Word by Word

• महता: by/with a great
• महता: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• रथसंघेन: by/with a host (congregation) of chariots
• रथसंघेन: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथसंघ
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• समन्तात्: on all sides, all around
• समन्तात्: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: समन्तात्

• परिरक्षितः: protected/guarded all around
• परिरक्षितः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परि-रक्ष्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• ratha (chariots)
• rathasaṅgha (host of chariots)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the ethical and practical principle that in warfare a commander’s security and effectiveness arise from coordinated protection by the larger body—emphasizing collective responsibility, discipline, and loyal support rather than isolated heroism.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya describes a warrior (implied from context) being surrounded and guarded on all sides by a large formation of chariots, indicating a protective battle-array and the intensity of the martial situation.