Shloka 36

वसुदेव–अर्जुन संवादः

Vasudeva–Arjuna Dialogue in the Aftermath of Dvārakā

Devanagari script

कुण्जरैश्व॒ गजारोहा ययु: शैलनिभैस्तथा । सपादरक्षै: संयुक्ता: सान्तरायुधिका ययु:,हाथीसवार पर्वताकार हाथियोंद्वारा गुप्तरूपसे अस्त्र-शस्त्र धारण किये यात्रा करने लगे। उनके साथ हाथियोंके पादरक्षक भी थे

Transliteration

kuñjaraiś ca gajārohā yayuḥ śailanibhais tathā | sapādarākṣaiḥ saṃyuktāḥ sāntarāyudhikā yayuḥ ||

Translation

గజారోహులు పర్వతసమానమైన ఏనుగులపై ఎక్కి బయలుదేరిరి; ఏనుగుల పాదరక్షకులతో కూడి, ఆయుధాలను సిద్ధంగా (మరియు గుప్తంగా) ఉంచుకొని వారు ప్రయాణించిరి।

Word by Word

कुञ्जरैःby/with elephants

चand

गजारोहाःelephant-riders

ययुःwent/marched

शैलनिभैःby/with (those) like mountains

तथाlikewise/also

सपादरक्षैःwith foot-guards/protectors (attendants guarding the feet)

संयुक्ताःjoined/attended/accompanied

सान्तरायुधिकाःhaving weapons (kept) within/inside; secretly armed

ययुःwent/marched

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

elephants (kuñjara/gaja)

elephant-riders (gajārohāḥ)

foot-guards/attendants (pādarākṣāḥ)

weapons (āyudha)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the ethical tension of power: even in organized movement, the presence of concealed or ready weapons shows how quickly order can turn into conflict. It reflects the Mahābhārata’s recurring warning that when distrust and martial preparedness dominate, violence becomes easier to ignite and harder to restrain.

What is happening in the narrative?

A group proceeds mounted on massive elephants, accompanied by foot-guards and carrying weapons under cover/at the ready. The description sets a tense, militarized atmosphere, suggesting preparation for danger or confrontation rather than a peaceful journey.