Shloka 17

Vyāsa’s Vision, the Power of Bhāgavatam, and the Arrest of Aśvatthāmā

Devanagari script

इति प्रियां वल्गुविचित्रजल्पै: स सान्‍त्वयित्वाच्युतमित्रसूत: । अन्वाद्रवद्दंशित उग्रधन्वा कपिध्वजो गुरुपुत्रं रथेन ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

iti priyāṁ valgu-vicitra-jalpaiḥ sa sāntvayitvācyuta-mitra-sūtaḥ anvādravad daṁśita ugra-dhanvā kapi-dhvajo guru-putraṁ rathena

Translation

అచ్యుతుడైన శ్రీకృష్ణుని మిత్రునిగా మరియు సారథిగా కలిగిన అర్జునుడు, ఈ విధంగా మధురమైన మాటలతో తన ప్రియమైన భార్యను ఓదార్చాడు. తరువాత అతను కవచం ధరించి, భయంకరమైన ఆయుధాలను తీసుకుని, తన రథంపై ఎక్కి గురుపుత్రుడైన అశ్వత్థామను వెంబడించడానికి బయలుదేరాడు.

Synonyms

• iti: thus
• iti: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण-निपात (quotative)

• priyām: (his) beloved (wife)
• priyām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: priyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; here 'beloved (wife)'

• valgu-vicitra-jalpaiḥ: with charming, varied words
• valgu-vicitra-jalpaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: valgu + vicitra + jalpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; कर्मधारय: 'charming and varied words'

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• sāntvayitvā: having consoled
• sāntvayitvā: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √sāntv (सान्त्व् धातु) + sāntvayitvā (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (gerund), अव्यय; 'having consoled'

• acyuta-mitra-sūtaḥ: the charioteer of Acyuta’s friend
• acyuta-mitra-sūtaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: acyuta + mitra + sūta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (acyutasya mitrasya sūtaḥ): 'charioteer of Acyuta’s friend' (i.e., Arjuna as friend of Kṛṣṇa; sūta = charioteer)

• anvādravat: he pursued/ran after
• anvādravat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: anu-ā-√drav (द्रव् धातु)
• Form: लङ् (imperfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• daṁśitaḥ: armed
• daṁśitaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √daṁś (दंश् धातु) + daṁśita (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'armed/encased (in armor)'

• ugra-dhanvā: the fierce archer
• ugra-dhanvā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ugra + dhanvan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय: 'fierce-bowman'

• kapi-dhvajaḥ: he whose banner bears a monkey (Arjuna)
• kapi-dhvajaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kapi + dhvaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: 'having monkey as emblem on the banner'

• guru-putram: the teacher’s son (Aśvatthāmā)
• guru-putram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guru + putra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (guroḥ putraḥ)

• rathena: by chariot
• rathena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa (Acyuta)
• Arjuna (Kapi-dhvaja)
• Aśvatthāmā (Droṇa-putra)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna as Arjuna’s friend and charioteer?

This verse highlights Kṛṣṇa as both “Acyuta-mitra” (the infallible friend) and “sūta” (charioteer), who first consoles Arjuna with affectionate words and then supports his righteous pursuit of Aśvatthāmā.

Why did Krishna console Arjuna before chasing Ashvatthama?

After the shocking violence committed by Aśvatthāmā, Arjuna needed steadiness and clarity. Kṛṣṇa’s calming, well-chosen words restore Arjuna’s composure so he can act decisively according to dharma.

Practical application of Krishna’s guidance in modern life?

Before taking action in a crisis, seek calm counsel, regain inner balance, and then act firmly and ethically—combining compassion in speech with determination in duty, as Kṛṣṇa models here.