Shloka 56

अध्याय ६० — कर्णस्य पाञ्चाल-सोमक-निग्रहः

Karna’s Suppression of the Panchala–Somaka Forces

Devanagari script

युधामन्योर्ध्वजं सूतं छत्रं चापातयत्‌ क्षितौ । ततो<पायाद्‌ रथेनैव युधामन्युर्महारथ:

Transliteration

yudhāmanyor dhvajaṃ sūtaṃ chatraṃ cāpātayat kṣitau | tato 'pāyād rathenaiva yudhāmanyur mahārathaḥ ||

Translation

సంజయుడు పలికెను—కృపుడు యుధామన్యుని ధ్వజాన్ని, సారథిని, ఛత్రాన్ని నేలకూల్చాడు. ఆపై మహారథుడైన యుధామన్యుడు తన రథంతోనే అక్కడి నుండి వెనుదిరిగాడు.

Word by Word

• युधामन्योः: of Yudhāmanyu
• युधामन्योः: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: युधामन्यु
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• ध्वजम्: banner/standard
• ध्वजम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्वज
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• सूतम्: charioteer
• सूतम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूत
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• छत्रम्: parasol/royal umbrella
• छत्रम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: छत्र
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• अपातयत्: caused to fall; struck down
• Type: Verb
• Root: पत्
• Form: Imperfect, 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada, Causative

• क्षितौ: on the ground
• क्षितौ: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षिति
• Form: Feminine, Locative, Singular

• ततः: then; thereafter
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः

• अपायात्: went away; withdrew
• Type: Verb
• Root: अप-या
• Form: Imperfect, 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• रथेन: by/with the chariot
• रथेन: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• एव: indeed; just; only
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव

• युधामन्युः: Yudhāmanyu
• युधामन्युः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: युधामन्यु
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• महारथः: great chariot-warrior
• महारथः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: महारथ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Yudhāmanyu
• dhvaja (banner/standard)
• sūta (charioteer)
• chatra (parasol)
• ratha (chariot)
• kṣiti (earth/ground)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores that in dharma-yuddha, valor is not mere stubbornness; when the practical supports of command and mobility collapse (driver, standard, insignia), strategic withdrawal can be the wiser course, preserving life and capacity for future duty.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that Yudhāmanyu knocks down the chariot’s banner, charioteer, and parasol, and then Yudhāmanyu—described as a mahāratha—withdraws from that spot in his chariot.