Shloka 28

Devanagari script

धार्तराष्ट्रानवस्थाप्य क एष नदतीति हि । ह्वीमन्तं तं महाबाहुं मत्तद्विरदगामिनम्‌

Transliteration

dhārtarāṣṭrān avasthāpya ka eṣa nadatīti hi | hvīmantaṁ taṁ mahābāhuṁ mattadviradagāminam ||

Translation

ଧୃତରାଷ୍ଟ୍ରପୁତ୍ରମାନଙ୍କୁ ଅଟକାଇ ଏହିପରି କିଏ ଗର୍ଜନ କରୁଛି? ସେଇ ମହାବାହୁ ଯୋଦ୍ଧା, ଆହ୍ୱାନରେ ଉନ୍ମତ୍ତ, ମତ୍ତ ହାତୀର ଗତିରେ ଆଗେ ବଢ଼ୁଛି।

Word by Word

धार्तराष्ट्रान्the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra (Kauravas)

अवस्थाप्यhaving stationed/placed

कःwho?

एषःthis (one)

नदतिroars/cries out

इतिthus (quotative)

हिindeed/for

ह्वीमन्तम्challenging/taunting (one who calls out)

तम्him/that (one)

महाबाहुम्the mighty-armed (hero)

मत्तद्विरदगामिनम्moving like an intoxicated elephant

Speaker

अजुन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Arjuna

Dhārtarāṣṭras (Kauravas)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the kṣatriya battlefield ethic: courage expressed through challenge and steadfastness. Arjuna’s attention to the opponent’s roar and elephant-like advance underscores discernment under pressure—recognizing morale, intent, and the psychological force of a warrior’s presence.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the midst of battle, Arjuna observes that the Kaurava forces have been checked, yet a particular mighty warrior is roaring a challenge and advancing powerfully. Arjuna asks who this is, describing him as moving like a maddened elephant—suggesting formidable strength and aggressive momentum.