Shloka 78

Adhyāya 141 — Night duels: Śaineya and Bhūriśravas; Droṇi and Ghaṭotkaca; Bhīma and Duryodhana

Devanagari script

स च्छिन्नथन्वा विरथ: स्वधर्ममनुपालयन्‌

Transliteration

sa cchinnadhanvā virathaḥ svadharmam anupālayan

Translation

ସଞ୍ଜୟ କହିଲେ—ଧନୁଷ ଛିନ୍ନ ହୋଇ ରଥହୀନ ହେଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ, ସେ ନିଜ ସ୍ୱଧର୍ମ ପାଳନ କରୁଥିଲା; ରଣମଧ୍ୟରେ କ୍ଷାତ୍ରଧର୍ମରୁ ସେ ହଟିଲା ନାହିଁ।

Word by Word

• सः: he
• सः: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• छिन्न-धन्वा: with (his) bow cut/broken
• छिन्न-धन्वा: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: छिन्नधन्वन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• विरथः: without a chariot; dismounted
• विरथः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विरथ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• स्व-धर्मम्: one's own duty
• स्व-धर्मम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वधर्म
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• अनुपालयन्: upholding; observing; maintaining
• अनुपालयन्: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: अनु√पाल्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular, Present active participle (शतृ)

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights steadfastness in svadharma: even when external supports (weapon, chariot, advantage) are lost, one should continue to act according to rightful duty and inner discipline, especially in a role-bound context like a kṣatriya in war.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that a warrior, though rendered chariotless and with his bow cut, does not withdraw; he continues fighting and conducting himself in accordance with his warrior-duty.