Shloka 14

खरस्य सैन्योद्योगः

Khara Mobilizes the Janasthana Host

Devanagari script

तं मेरुशिखराकारं तप्तकाञ्चनभूषणम्।हेमचक्रमसम्बाधं वैदूर्यमयकूबरम्।।3.22.14।।मत्स्यैः पुष्पैर्द्रुमैश्शैलैश्चन्द्रसूर्यैश्च काञ्चनैः।मङ्गलैः पक्षिसङ्घैश्च ताराभिरभिसंवृतम्।।3.22.15।।ध्वजनिस्त्रिंशसम्पन्नं किङ्किणीकविराजितम्।सदश्वयुक्तं सोऽमर्षादारुरोह खरो रथम्।।3.22.16।।

Transliteration

taṃ meruśikharākāraṃ taptakāñcanabhūṣaṇam |

hemacakram asambādhaṃ vaidūryamayakūbaram || 3.22.14 ||

Translation

அந்தத் தேர் மேரு மலைச் சிகரம்போல் உயர்ந்தது; உருகிய பொன்னாலான அலங்காரங்களால் மிளிர்ந்தது; பொன் சக்கரங்களுடன், உறுதியான கட்டமைப்புடன், வைடூர்ய மணியால் செய்யப்பட்ட கूबरம் (யோகத் தண்டு) உடையதாக இருந்தது.

Word by Word

• तम्: that
• तम्: कर्म (object; continued description of ratham)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; सर्वनाम — ‘that (chariot)’

• मेरुशिखराकारम्: shaped like Meru’s peak
• मेरुशिखराकारम्: विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मेरु + शिखर + आकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; रथम्-शब्दस्य विशेषणम्; तत्पुरुषः (मेरोः शिखरस्य आकारः इव = like Meru-peak in shape)

• तप्तकाञ्चनभूषणम्: adorned with refined-gold ornaments
• तप्तकाञ्चनभूषणम्: विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तप्त + काञ्चन + भूषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; रथम्-शब्दस्य विशेषणम्; तत्पुरुषः (तप्तकाञ्चनेन भूषणम् = adorned with refined gold ornaments)

• हेमचक्रम्: with golden wheels
• हेमचक्रम्: विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हेम + चक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; रथम्-शब्दस्य विशेषणम्; कर्मधारयः (हेममयं चक्रं यस्य = having golden wheels)

• असम्बाधम्: spacious / well-built
• असम्बाधम्: विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्- + सम्बाध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; रथम्-शब्दस्य विशेषणम् — ‘uncramped/spacious, well-built’

• वैदूर्यमयकूबरम्: with a vaidūrya-gem pole
• वैदूर्यमयकूबरम्: विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वैदूर्य + मय + कूबर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; रथम्-शब्दस्य विशेषणम्; तत्पुरुषः (वैदूर्यमयं कूबरं यस्य = whose pole/yoke is made of vaidūrya-gems)

Context

Then the impatient Khara mounted the chariot that looked like the peak of mount Meru. It was decorated with pure gold, had golden wheels, poles studded with vaidurya. The carriage of the chariot was engraved with golden figures of fishes, flowers, trees, the Sun, stars, flocks of auspicious birds, flags and swords. Shining with small bells, it was yoked to fine horses.

Characters & Entities

• Khara
• Mount Meru
• vaidūrya (gem)
• chariot

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Splendor and wealth (gold, gems) are depicted as external; dharma evaluates intention and conduct, not ornamentation—an implicit reminder that grandeur cannot sanctify an unjust purpose.

What is the narrative situation?

The narrative dwells on the extraordinary chariot prepared for Khara, emphasizing its magnificence before the march.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Not a moral virtue but a narrative contrast: worldly magnificence is highlighted to set against the impending unethical aggression.