Shloka 2

Adhyāya 18 — Sequential Duels and Formation Pressure

Ulūka–Yuyutsu; Śakuni–Sutasoma; Kṛpa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna; Kṛtavarmā–Śikhaṇḍin

Devanagari script

पार्थबाणहता राजन्‌ नराश्चरथकुज्जरा: । विचेलुर्ब भ्रमुर्नेशु: पेतुर्मम्लुश्न भारत,भरतवंशी नरेश! अर्जुनके बाणोंसे आहत हो हाथी, घोड़े, रथ और पैदल मनुष्य विचलित, भ्रान्त, पतित, मलिन तथा नष्ट होने लगे

Transliteration

sañjaya uvāca |

pārthabāṇahatā rājan narāś ca rathakuñjarāḥ |

vicelur bhramur neśuḥ petur mamluśna bhārata ||

Translation

ସଞ୍ଜୟ କହିଲେ—ହେ ରାଜନ୍! ପାର୍ଥଙ୍କ ବାଣରେ ଆହତ ମନୁଷ୍ୟ, ରଥ, ଅଶ୍ୱ ଓ ଗଜ ସମସ୍ତେ ଅସ୍ଥିର ହେଲେ। ସେମାନେ ଡଗମଗାଇଲେ, ଭ୍ରମିତ ହୋଇ ଏଦିକ-ସେଦିକ ଘୁରିଲେ; ଆର୍ତ୍ତନାଦ କରି ଭୂମିରେ ପଡ଼ିଲେ ଏବଂ ରକ୍ତରଞ୍ଜିତ ହୋଇ ନଶିବାକୁ ଲାଗିଲେ।

Word by Word

• पार्थ-बाण-हता: struck by Arjuna's arrows
• पार्थ-बाण-हता: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पार्थबाणहत
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• राजन्: O king
• राजन्: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन्
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular

• नराः: men (foot-soldiers)
• नराः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• रथाः: chariots
• रथाः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• कुञ्जराः: elephants
• कुञ्जराः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुञ्जर
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• विचेलुः: became unsteady / reeled
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + चल्
• Form: Perfect (Liṭ), 3rd, Plural

• भ्रमुः: wandered / were confused
• Type: Verb
• Root: भ्रम्
• Form: Perfect (Liṭ), 3rd, Plural

• नेशुः: perished
• Type: Verb
• Root: नश्
• Form: Perfect (Liṭ), 3rd, Plural

• पेतुः: fell
• Type: Verb
• Root: पत्
• Form: Perfect (Liṭ), 3rd, Plural

• मम्लुशुः: became soiled / were disfigured
• Type: Verb
• Root: म्लुश्
• Form: Perfect (Liṭ), 3rd, Plural

• भारत: O Bharata (descendant of Bharata)
• भारत: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: भारत
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Dhṛtarāṣṭra (addressed as rājan, bhārata)
• Pārtha (Arjuna)
• arrows (bāṇa)
• men/warriors (narāḥ)
• chariots (ratha)
• elephants (kuñjara)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores the fragility of martial formations and human pride: in war, even mighty units—men, chariots, elephants—can be rapidly undone by superior skill and force. Ethically, it highlights the grim cost of conflict and the swift reversal of fortune that accompanies adharma-driven warfare.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Arjuna’s arrows are cutting through the Kaurava forces. Warriors and major war-units (chariots and elephants) become shaken and confused, cry out, fall, and are left bloodied and destroyed, indicating a surge of Arjuna’s dominance in the battle.