Mahabharata 1.103.18 — Adi Parva, Adhyaya 103, Shloka 18

Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 103 — Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Gāndhārī Vivāha: Proposal, Consent, and the Vow

Devanagari script

स्थितो<हं पृथिवीपाला युद्धाय कृतनिश्चय: । एवमुक्त्वा महीपालान्‌ काशिराजं च वीर्यवान्‌

Transliteration

Vaiśampāyana uvāca: sthito 'haṃ pṛthivīpālā yuddhāya kṛtaniścayaḥ | evam uktvā mahīpālān kāśirājaṃ ca vīryavān ||

Translation

Вайшампаяна сказал: «О цари, я стою здесь, твердо решив сражаться». Сказав это собравшимся владыкам—и особенно царю Каши,—могучий Бхишма, первейший из куру, удержал при себе дев, которых он захватил и посадил на свою колесницу, бросил вызов всем противникам и стремительно покинул то место.

Word by Word

• स्थितः: standing, stationed
• स्थितः: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु) → स्थित (कृदन्त)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• पृथिवीपालः: king, ruler of the earth
• पृथिवीपालः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: पृथिवीपाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• युद्धाय: for battle
• युद्धाय: Sampradana
• Type: Noun
• Root: युद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Dative, Singular

• कृतनिश्चयः: having made a firm resolve
• कृतनिश्चयः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृतनिश्चय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम्

• उक्त्वा: having said
• उक्त्वा: Karana
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु) → उक्त्वा
• Form: Absolutive (Gerund)

• महीपालान्: the kings
• महीपालान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: महीपाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• काशिराजम्: the king of Kāśī
• काशिराजम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: काशिराज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

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

• वीर्यवान्: mighty, valorous
• वीर्यवान्: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वीर्यवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Bhīṣma
• Kāśirāja (King of Kāśī)
• mahīpālāḥ (assembled kings)
• Kuru-kula (Kuru dynasty)
• yuddha (battle)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights unwavering resolve (niścaya) in the face of opposition, while also exposing the ethical tension in kṣatriya conduct: valor and duty are celebrated, yet the use of force against others’ claims and the taking of women as prizes raises questions about dharma, consent, and the limits of martial righteousness.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma addresses the gathered kings (including the king of Kāśī), declaring he is ready to fight. He has already placed the abducted maidens on his chariot, issues a challenge, and departs quickly—setting the stage for armed confrontation over the contested brides.