Shloka 20

Devanagari script

नानारूपाणि शस्त्राणि विसृजन्तो महारथा:

Transliteration

nānārūpāṇi śastrāṇi visṛjanto mahārathāḥ

Translation

மகாரதர்கள் பலவகை ஆயுதங்களை எறிந்து கொண்டு போரைக் முன்னே தள்ளினர்.

Word by Word

• नाना: various, manifold
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नाना
• Form: indeclinable (adverbial/attributive usage)

• रूपाणि: forms, kinds
• रूपाणि: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: रूप
• Form: neuter, nominative/accusative, plural

• शस्त्राणि: weapons
• शस्त्राणि: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: शस्त्र
• Form: neuter, accusative, plural

• विसृजन्तः: releasing, discharging, hurling
• विसृजन्तः: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-सृज्
• Form: present active participle (शतृ), masculine, nominative, plural

• महारथाः: great chariot-warriors
• महारथाः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: महारथ
• Form: masculine, nominative, plural

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• śastra (weapons)
• mahāratha (great chariot-warriors)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores the intensity and variety of warfare led by elite warriors; ethically, it frames battle as a sphere where trained kṣatriyas enact their role, while also reminding the listener of the destructive momentum that arises when martial power is unleashed.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the foremost chariot-fighters are actively discharging many kinds of weapons, indicating a fierce escalation and sustained exchange of arms on the battlefield.