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

سنجے نے کہا—یوں وہ سب اسلحہ و سامانِ جنگ ساتھ لیے، سفید گھوڑوں سے جُتے رتھ پر سوار ہو کر میدانِ کارزار میں داخل ہوا۔

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.