Shloka 54

Devanagari script

निकृत्यैतद्रथानीकं बलिनं लोकविश्रुतम्‌

Transliteration

nikṛtyaitad rathānīkaṃ balinaṃ lokaviśrutam

Translation

சஞ்சயன் கூறினான்—இவ்வாறு உலகெங்கும் புகழ்பெற்ற, வலிமைமிக்க ரதப் படைப்பிரிவை வீழ்த்திய பின், போர் மீண்டும் அதன் கொடூர வேகத்துடன் முன்னே நகர்ந்தது।

Word by Word

• निकृत्य: having cut down / having destroyed
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि√कृत्
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), कर्तरि

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: एतद्
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• रथानीकम्: chariot-division / chariot-host
• रथानीकम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ + अनीक
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• बलिनम्: strong, powerful
• बलिनम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बलिन्
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• लोकविश्रुतम्: renowned in the world / world-famous
• लोकविश्रुतम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लोक + विश्रुत
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• rathānīka (chariot-corps/formation)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores the Mahābhārata’s recurring ethical tension: worldly fame and military strength (lokaviśruta, balin) are still vulnerable to the ruthless reversals of war. Renown does not guarantee protection; power is transient when driven into adharma-fueled destruction.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that a notable, powerful chariot-formation—famous for its strength—has been brought down in the ongoing battle. The line functions as a brief battlefield update, marking a turning point where an important unit is shattered.