Shloka 9

Śalya’s Consecration as Senāpati and Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel to Yudhiṣṭhira (शल्यस्य सेनापत्यभिषेकः)

Devanagari script

स्थाणोर्वृषस्य सदृशं स्कन्धनेत्रगतिस्वरै: । पुष्टश्लिष्टायत भुजं सुविस्तीर्णवरोरसम्‌

Transliteration

sthāṇor vṛṣasya sadṛśaṃ skandha-netra-gati-svaraiḥ | puṣṭa-śliṣṭāyata-bhujaṃ suvistīrṇa-varorasaṃ

Translation

ସଞ୍ଜୟ କହିଲେ—ସେ ଅଚଳ ସ୍ତମ୍ଭ କିମ୍ବା ମହାବଳୀ ବୃଷଭ ସଦୃଶ; ତାହାର ସ୍କନ୍ଧ, ଦୃଷ୍ଟି, ଗତି ଓ ସ୍ୱର ସେହି ଶକ୍ତିକୁ ମେଳ ଖାଉଥିଲା। ଭୁଜା ପୁଷ୍ଟ, ସଂହତ ଓ ଦୀର୍ଘ; ବକ୍ଷ ଅତିବିସ୍ତୃତ ଓ ଶୋଭାମୟ ଥିଲା।

Word by Word

स्थाणोःof a pillar/tree-stump (Sthāṇu)

वृषस्यof a bull

सदृशम्similar, like

स्कन्ध-नेत्र-गति-स्वरैःwith (his) shoulders, eyes, gait, and voice

पुष्ट-श्लिष्ट-आयत-भुजम्having well-nourished, compact, long arms

सु-विस्तीर्ण-वर-उरसम्having a very broad and excellent chest

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

Sañjaya

pillar (sthāṇu)

bull (vṛṣa)

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 uses epic similes (pillar, bull) to convey steadiness, power, and commanding presence—qualities prized in kṣatriya ideals. Ethically, it underscores how war magnifies human attributes: strength and confidence become narratively prominent, even as they serve a destructive conflict.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya is describing a warrior’s imposing physical and behavioral traits—shoulders, eyes, gait, and voice—along with strong arms and a broad chest, to emphasize his formidable readiness and the heightened tension of the battlefield scene.