Mahabharata 6.116.12 — Bhishma Parva, Adhyaya 116, Shloka 12

भीष्मस्य जलप्रार्थना — अर्जुनस्य पर्जन्यास्त्रप्रयोगः — दुर्योधनं प्रति सन्ध्युपदेशः

Bhīṣma’s request for water; Arjuna’s Parjanya-astra; counsel to Duryodhana on reconciliation

Devanagari script

अथान्यद्‌ धनुरादाय गौतमो रथिनां वर:

Transliteration

athānyad dhanur ādāya gautamo rathināṃ varaḥ

Translation

அப்போது ரதவீரர்களில் சிறந்த கௌதமன் மற்றொரு வில்லை எடுத்தான்.

Word by Word

• अथ: then
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ

• अन्यत्: another (one)
• अन्यत्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य
• Form: neuter, accusative, singular

• धनुः: bow
• धनुः: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: धनुस्
• Form: neuter, accusative, singular

• आदाय: having taken
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + दा
• Form: ल्यप् (absolutive/gerund), parasmaipada (usage)

• गौतमः: Gautama
• गौतमः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: गौतम
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

• रथिनाम्: of chariot-warriors
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथिन्
• Form: masculine, genitive, plural

• वरः: the best
• वरः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Gautama
• dhanuḥ (bow)
• rathin (chariot-warrior)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights steadfastness and preparedness: when one means is spent or set aside, a capable warrior adopts another without losing composure—an image of resilience and disciplined resolve in the midst of conflict.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that Gautama, praised as the best among chariot-fighters, takes up a different bow, indicating a tactical shift or continuation of battle with renewed equipment.