Mahabharata 4.55.39 — Virata Parva, Adhyaya 55, Shloka 39

Adhyāya 55: Pārtha–Rādheya Saṃvāda and Tactical Exchange

Chapter 55

Devanagari script

तत्‌ प्रभग्नं बल॑ दृष्टवा पार्थमाजिस्थितं पुन: । अभिप्रायं समाज्ञाय वैराटिरिदमब्रवीत्‌

Transliteration

tad prabhagnaṃ balaṃ dṛṣṭvā pārtham ājisthitaṃ punaḥ | abhiprāyaṃ samājñāya vairāṭir idam abravīt ||

Translation

เมื่อเห็นกองทัพเการวะแตกพ่ายอลหม่าน และเห็นปารถะ (อรชุน) ยืนหยัดในสนามรบอีกครั้ง โอรสแห่งวิราฏะก็รู้เจตนาของเขาแล้วกล่าวว่า “โอ้ จิษณุ! ท่านประทับบนรถศึกอันงดงามนี้ โดยมีข้าเป็นสารถี บัดนี้ท่านประสงค์จะมุ่งไปยังกองทัพใด? วันนี้ท่านบัญชาให้ไปที่ใด ข้าจะไปกับท่านที่นั่น”

Word by Word

• तत्: that (army/force)
• तत्: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular

• प्रभग्नम्: broken, routed
• प्रभग्नम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रभग्न
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular

• बलम्: army, force
• बलम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश्
• Form: Absolutive (Gerund)

• पार्थम्: Arjuna (son of Pritha)
• पार्थम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्थ
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• आजि-स्थितम्: standing in battle, battle-stationed
• आजि-स्थितम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आजि-स्थित
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• पुनः: again
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुनः

• अभिप्रायम्: intention, resolve
• अभिप्रायम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभिप्राय
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• समाज्ञाय: having understood, having ascertained
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-ज्ञा
• Form: Absolutive (Gerund)

• वैराटिः: the prince of Virata (Uttara)
• वैराटिः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैराटि
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• इदम्: this (speech/word)
• इदम्: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: इदम्
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• अब्रवीत्: said, spoke
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू
• Form: Imperfect (Lan), 3, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśaṃpāyana
• Pārtha (Arjuna)
• Virāṭa prince (Uttara)
• Kaurava army
• chariot

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Steadfastness in one’s duty inspires confidence and cooperation: when Arjuna stands firm after routing the enemy, Uttara recognizes his resolve and offers obedient support, illustrating disciplined leadership and loyal service in a righteous cause.

What is happening in the narrative?

After the Kaurava forces are scattered, Arjuna remains ready for further combat. Uttara, the Virāṭa prince acting as charioteer, understands Arjuna’s next intention and asks which direction or opposing force Arjuna wishes to engage, promising to drive wherever commanded.