Mahabharata — Bhishma Parva, Shloka 1226

Daiva–Puruṣakāra Discourse and the Elephant-Corps Engagement (भीमगजानीक-सम्भ्रान्ति)

Devanagari script

महाव्यूह: कलिज्रानामेकेन मृदितस्त्वया । “आपने अकेले अपनी ही भुजाओंके बल और पराक्रमसे कलिंगोंके उस महान्‌ व्यूहको रौंदकर मिट्टीमें मिला दिया

Transliteration

sañjaya uvāca | mahāvyūhaḥ kaliṅgānām ekena mṛditas tvayā |

Translation

Wika ni Sañjaya: “Ikaw lamang ang dumurog at yumurak sa dakilang pormasyon ng mga Kalinga. Sa lakas at tapang ng sarili mong mga bisig, binasag mo ang siksik na hanay—punô ng mga elepante, kabayo, at mga karwahe—at ginawa mo itong wasak na guho. Marami sa kanilang hukbo ang itinuturing na kabilang sa mga dakilang tao ng daigdig, at di-mabilang na matatapang at matitibay na mandirigma ang sumandig sa pormasyong iyon.”

Word by Word

• महाव्यूहः: the great battle-formation
• महाव्यूहः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाव्यूह
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• कलिङ्गानाम्: of the Kalingas
• कलिङ्गानाम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: कलिङ्ग
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Plural

• एकेन: by one (alone)
• एकेन: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• मृदितः: crushed, trampled down
• मृदितः: Karma
• Type: Verb
• Root: मृद्
• Form: kta (past passive participle), Masculine, Nominative, Singular, passive/resultative

• त्वया: by you
• त्वया: Karana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: त्वद्
• Form: Masculine/Feminine, Instrumental, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Kaliṅga (Kalingas)
• mahāvyūha (great battle-formation)
• elephants
• horses
• chariots

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the epic ideal of kṣatriya valor and battlefield competence: a single warrior’s disciplined strength and courage can overturn even a formidable, well-equipped formation. Ethically, it frames martial prowess as a duty-bound excellence within the war narrative, emphasizing resolve and capability rather than cruelty.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that one warrior (addressed as “you”) has single-handedly shattered the Kalingas’ massive battle-array, despite it being filled with elephants, horses, and chariots and defended by many renowned, steadfast fighters.