Shloka 4

अध्याय ८ — शल्यस्य सत्कारः, वरदानं, पाण्डवसमागमश्च (Śalya’s Reception, the Boon, and Meeting the Pāṇḍavas)

Devanagari script

विचित्राभरणा: सर्वे विचित्ररथवाहना: । विचित्रस्रग्धरा: सर्वे विचित्राम्बर भूषणा:

Transliteration

vaicitrābharaṇāḥ sarve vaicitrarathavāhanāḥ | vaicitrasragdharāḥ sarve vaicitrāmbarabhūṣaṇāḥ ||

Translation

Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Lahat sila’y may suot na maningning at sari-saring palamuti; ang kanilang mga karwaheng pandigma at mga sinasakyan ay iba-iba at kapansin-pansin. Lahat ay may mga kuwintas na bulaklak na makukulay, at pinalamutian ng kahanga-hangang kasuotan at alahas. Ipinapakita ng tanawing ito ang maringal na parada ng isang malaking hukbo—ang kislap sa labas at ang disiplinadong pagpapamalas na hudyat ng kahandaan sa digmaan, habang palihim na nagpapaalala na ang gayong karangyaan ay balat lamang ng mabibigat na pasyang moral na malapit nang sumiklab.

Word by Word

• विचित्राभरणाः: having variegated ornaments
• विचित्राभरणाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विचित्र-आभरण
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• विचित्ररथवाहनाः: having diverse chariots and mounts/vehicles
• विचित्ररथवाहनाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विचित्र-रथ-वाहन
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• विचित्रस्रग्धराः: wearing variegated garlands
• विचित्रस्रग्धराः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विचित्र-स्रग्धर
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• विचित्राम्बरभूषणाः: with wondrous garments and ornaments
• विचित्राम्बरभूषणाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विचित्र-अम्बर-भूषण
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• वैशम्पायन (Vaiśampāyana)
• रथ (chariots)
• वाहन (mounts/vehicles)
• आभरण (ornaments)
• स्रग् (garlands)
• अम्बर (garments)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse foregrounds the dazzling external signs of martial power—ornaments, garments, chariots, and mounts—hinting that worldly splendor and military readiness do not by themselves resolve the deeper dharmic questions that war raises. It sets a contrast between appearance (pageantry) and the ethical weight of impending conflict.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana describes a gathered host of warriors as richly and variously adorned, with impressive chariots and vehicles. The narration paints the visual grandeur of an army’s assembly and preparation, emphasizing the scale and magnificence of the forces being marshaled.