Mahabharata 7.84.20 — Drona Parva, Adhyaya 84, Shloka 20

अलम्बुस-वधः

The Neutralization of Alambusa

Devanagari script

स्वस्तिकान्‌ वर्धमानांश्व नन्द्यावर्ताश्न काज्चनान्‌ | माल्यं च जलकुम्भांश्व ज्वलितं च हुताशनम्‌

Transliteration

sañjaya uvāca |

svastikān vardhamānāṁś ca nandyāvartāṁś ca kāñcanān |

mālyaṁ ca jalakumbhāṁś ca jvalitaṁ ca hutāśanam |

Translation

Sañjaya disse: “Ali havia emblemas auspiciosos — svásticas, sinais de prosperidade (vardhamāna) e nandyāvartas de ouro — juntamente com guirlandas, jarros cheios de água e o fogo sagrado ardendo em chamas vivas.”

Word by Word

• स्वस्तिकान्: swastika symbols
• स्वस्तिकान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वस्तिक
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• वर्धमानान्: vardhamāna signs (auspicious emblems)
• वर्धमानान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्धमान
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

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

• नन्द्यावर्तान्: nandyāvarta emblems
• नन्द्यावर्तान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: नन्द्यावर्त
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• काञ्चनान्: golden
• काञ्चनान्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: काञ्चन
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• माल्यम्: garland
• माल्यम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: माल्य
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

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

• जलकुम्भान्: water-pots
• जलकुम्भान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: जलकुम्भ
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

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

• ज्वलितम्: blazing
• ज्वलितम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्वलित
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

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

• हुताशनम्: fire (Agni)
• हुताशनम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: हुताशन
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sanjaya
• svastika (auspicious symbol)
• vardhamāna (prosperity emblem)
• nandyāvarta (auspicious emblem)
• mālya (garland)
• jalakumbha (water-filled pot)
• hutāśana (sacred fire)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights dharmic attentiveness to auspicious rites and proper conduct: even in a war narrative, major actions are framed by traditional symbols of welfare, purity, and right order, implying that ethical seriousness includes ritual propriety and mindful preparation.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sanjaya describes the presence of auspicious objects—symbols, garlands, water-pots, and a kindled sacred fire—indicating that a formal, ritually marked moment is underway (a ceremonial entry or significant royal proceeding), with omens and auspicious items placed to sanctify the act.