Shloka 29
त्रिगर्त-मात्स्य-संग्रामः
The Trigarta–Matsya Engagement at Twilight
Devanagari script
तरस्विनश्छन्नरूपा: सर्वे युद्धविशारदा: । रथान् हेमपरिच्छन्नानास्थाय च महारथा:
Transliteration
tarasvinaś channarūpāḥ sarve yuddhaviśāradāḥ | rathān hemaparicchannān āsthāya ca mahārathāḥ ||
Translation
तरस्विनश्छन्नरूपाः सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः । रथान् हेमपरिच्छन्नान् आस्थाय च महारथाः ॥
Word by Word
तरस्विनःswift, vigorous
तरस्विनः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootतरस्विन्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
छन्नरूपाःhaving concealed forms (disguised)
छन्नरूपाः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootछन्नरूप
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
सर्वेall
सर्वे:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootसर्व
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
युद्धविशारदाःskilled in warfare
युद्धविशारदाः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootयुद्धविशारद
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
रथान्chariots
रथान्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootरथ
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural
हेमपरिच्छन्नान्covered/adorned with gold
हेमपरिच्छन्नान्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootहेमपरिच्छन्न
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural
आस्थायhaving mounted/ascended
आस्थाय:
Karana
TypeVerb
Rootआ-स्था
Formक्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage as gerund)
चand
च:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootच
महारथाःgreat chariot-warriors
महारथाः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootमहारथ
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
Speaker
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Characters & Entities
V
VaiśampāyanaV
VirāṭaM
mahārathāḥ (great chariot-warriors)R
rathāḥ (chariots)H
hema (gold)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
The verse highlights dharmic strategy: concealing one’s identity can be righteous when done to fulfill a vow and protect others, while maintaining readiness and competence to act decisively when duty calls.
The disguised warriors—elite chariot-fighters—mount gold-adorned chariots and ride swiftly together, following King Virāṭa, indicating coordinated action in response to an impending conflict.