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Shloka 5

चर्मवर्म भ्रमोपेतां रथोडुपसमाकुलाम्‌ । जयैषिणां च सुतरां भीरूणां च सुदुस्तराम्‌

carmavarma bhramopetāṁ rathoḍupasamākulām | jayaiṣiṇāṁ ca sutarāṁ bhīrūṇāṁ ca sudustarām ||

சஞ்சயன் கூறினான்—அந்தப் போர்க்களம் கேடயங்களும் கவசங்களும் சுழலும் குழப்பத்தால் நிரம்பி, தேர்கள் படகுகள் போலக் குவிந்து நெருக்கமாக இருந்தது. வெற்றியை நாடுவோர்க்கு அது கடக்கத்தக்கதாக இருந்தாலும், அஞ்சுவோர்க்கு அது மிகக் கடக்க முடியாததாக இருந்தது.

चर्मवर्मleather and armor
चर्मवर्म:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootचर्मन् + वर्मन्
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
भ्रमोपेताम्attended by confusion; full of bewilderment
भ्रमोपेताम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootभ्रम + उपेत (√इ + उप)
FormFeminine, Accusative, Singular
रथोडुपसमाकुलाम्crowded with chariots and boats (as if)
रथोडुपसमाकुलाम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootरथ + उडुप + समाकुल
FormFeminine, Accusative, Singular
जयैषिणाम्of those seeking victory
जयैषिणाम्:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootजय + एषिन्
FormMasculine, Genitive, Plural
and
:
TypeIndeclinable
Root
सुतराम्exceedingly; very much
सुतराम्:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootसुतरम्
भीरूणाम्of the timid/cowardly
भीरूणाम्:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootभीरु
FormMasculine, Genitive, Plural
and
:
TypeIndeclinable
Root
सुदुस्तराम्very hard to cross; extremely difficult
सुदुस्तराम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootसु + दुस्तर
FormFeminine, Accusative, Singular

संजय उवाच

S
Sañjaya
S
shields (carma)
A
armor (varman)
C
chariots (ratha)
B
boats (uḍupa) (simile)

Educational Q&A

The same ordeal tests people differently: resolve and a victory-oriented mind can find a way through chaos, while fear magnifies obstacles and makes the path seem nearly impassable—an ethical reminder that courage and steadiness are essential in kṣatriya duty.

Sañjaya describes the battlefield’s turmoil: shields and armor create a dizzying confusion, and the mass of chariots is likened to a fleet of boats, conveying how difficult it is to move and survive amid the press of war.