Shloka 13

Saṃjaya’s Warning to Dhṛtarāṣṭra: Accountability, Alliance-Shift, and the Pāṇḍava Strategic Edge

Devanagari script

एवमेतानि स रथे वहज्छवेतहयो रणे

Transliteration

evametāni sa rathe vahañ śvetahayō raṇe

Translation

Wika ni Sañjaya: “Sa gayon, taglay ang lahat ng sandata at paghahandang ito, siya’y umusad sa kanyang karwahe—na hinihila ng mga kabayong puti—patungo sa digmaan, taglay ang paninindigan at kahandaang nauuna sa isang makatarungang labanan.”

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम्

• एतानि: these (things)
• एतानि: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: एतद्
• Form: neuter, nominative/accusative, plural

• सः: he
• सः: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

• रथे: in/on the chariot
• रथे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ
• Form: masculine, locative, singular

• वहन्: carrying/driving
• वहन्: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: वह्
• Form: शतृ (present active participle), masculine, nominative, singular

• श्वेतहयः: one having white horses / (the chariot) with white horses
• श्वेतहयः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्वेतहय
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

• रणे: in battle
• रणे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: रण
• Form: masculine, locative, singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• chariot (ratha)
• white horses (śvetahayāḥ)
• battle (raṇa)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores preparedness and purposeful action: entering battle is not mere aggression but a deliberate step taken after assembling means and resolve, framed within the larger Mahābhārata concern for dharma and rightful conduct.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya continues his report, describing a warrior proceeding in a chariot drawn by white horses, carrying the previously mentioned equipment or arrangements, and moving into the battlefield.