Shloka 31

Bhīmasena’s Kalinga Engagement and the Approach of Bhīṣma (भीमसेन-कालिङ्ग-संग्रामः)

Devanagari script

द्वीपिचर्मावनद्धैश्व व्याप्रचर्मच्छदैरपि

Transliteration

dvīpicarmāvanaddhaiś ca vyāghracarmacchadair api

Translation

Sañjaya nói: “Họ còn khoác áo bằng da báo, và cũng có áo phủ làm bằng da hổ.” Câu này khắc họa dáng vẻ võ sĩ dữ dằn, gần như khổ hạnh giữa chiến trường—lấy da thú làm biểu tượng của sức mạnh và sự uy hiếp, trong khi gánh nặng đạo lý của cuộc chiến đang kề cận.

Word by Word

• द्वीपि-चर्म-अवनद्धैः: with (things/persons) bound/covered with leopard-skin
• द्वीपि-चर्म-अवनद्धैः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वीपि + चर्मन् + अवनद्ध (√नह्)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Plural

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• व्याघ्र-चर्म-च्छदैः: with coverings made of tiger-skin
• व्याघ्र-चर्म-च्छदैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्याघ्र + चर्मन् + छद (√छद्)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Plural

• अपि: also/even
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• leopard-skin (dvīpicarma)
• tiger-skin coverings (vyāghracarmacchada)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse is primarily descriptive rather than doctrinal: it highlights how outward signs—like wearing leopard and tiger skins—are used to project ferocity and resolve in war, reminding readers that the battlefield is shaped not only by weapons but also by psychological and symbolic displays.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya continues his report of the armies’ appearance and equipment, noting that some fighters are covered with leopard-skins and tiger-skin mantles, emphasizing the formidable, fear-inducing look of the assembled warriors.