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Shloka 12

Adhyāya 112: Bhīṣma-prati Arjunasya Pravṛttiḥ

Arjuna’s Forward Drive Toward Bhīṣma

अथोपायान्महाराज सव्यसाची धनंजय: । त्रासयन्‌ रथिन: सर्वान्‌ बीभत्सुरपराजित:,महाराज! तदनन्तर किसीसे परास्त न होनेवाले और बायें हाथसे भी बाण चलानेमें समर्थ धनंजय अर्जुन समस्त रथियोंको भयभीत करते हुए उनके निकट आये

athopāyān mahārāja savyasācī dhanañjayaḥ | trāsayan rathinaḥ sarvān bībhatsur aparājitaḥ ||

अथोपायान्महाराज सव्यसाची धनंजयः । त्रासयन् रथिनः सर्वान् बीभत्सुरपराजितः ॥

अथthen
अथ:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअथ
उपायात्approached/came near
उपायात्:
TypeVerb
Rootउप-या (धातु: या)
Formलुङ् (aorist), 3, singular, परस्मैपद
महाराजO great king
महाराज:
TypeNoun
Rootमहाराज
Formmasculine, vocative, singular
सव्यसाचीambidextrous (able to shoot with the left hand too)
सव्यसाची:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootसव्यसाचिन्
Formmasculine, nominative, singular
धनंजयःDhanañjaya (Arjuna)
धनंजयः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootधनंजय
Formmasculine, nominative, singular
त्रासयन्frightening
त्रासयन्:
TypeVerb
Rootत्रासयत् (धातु: त्रस्/त्रास्, णिच्)
Formशतृ (present active participle), masculine, nominative, singular
रथिनःchariot-warriors
रथिनः:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootरथिन्
Formmasculine, accusative, plural
सर्वान्all
सर्वान्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootसर्व
Formmasculine, accusative, plural
बीभत्सुःBībhatsu (Arjuna)
बीभत्सुः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootबीभत्सु
Formmasculine, nominative, singular
अपराजितःunconquered/undefeated
अपराजितः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootअपराजित
Formmasculine, nominative, singular

संजय उवाच

S
Sañjaya
D
Dhṛtarāṣṭra (Mahārāja)
A
Arjuna
D
Dhanañjaya
S
Savyasācī
B
Bībhatsu
R
rathinaḥ (chariot-warriors)

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of resolute action: Arjuna advances without being overcome, embodying disciplined courage and mastery (savyasācī). Ethically, it frames battlefield prowess as a function of steadfastness in one’s ordained duty rather than mere aggression.

Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Arjuna moves forward toward the opposing chariot-warriors. His approach itself becomes a psychological force—he terrifies the rathins—indicating that Arjuna is pressing the battle and challenging the enemy line.