Shloka 24

Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Anxiety and Bhīṣma’s Theological Explanation of Pāṇḍava Invincibility

Book 6, Chapter 61

Devanagari script

ध्वजैस्तत्रापविद्धैश्व कार्मुकैस्तोमरैस्तथा । प्रासैस्तथा गदाभिश्न परिघै: कम्पनैस्तथा

Transliteration

sañjaya uvāca |

dhvajais tatrāpaviddhaiś ca kārmukais tomarais tathā |

prāsais tathā gadābhiś ca parighaiḥ kampanaiḥ tathā ||

Translation

Sañjaya nói: Ở đó, mặt đất rải đầy cờ hiệu bị quăng ngã, cung, lao, thương, chùy, gậy sắt và búa chiến nặng nề—dày đặc đến nỗi chiến địa như được trải thảm bằng những khí cụ giao tranh gãy nát. Cảnh ấy gợi lên sức nặng đạo lý của chiến tranh: ngay cả những biểu tượng kiêu hãnh và vũ khí vốn tượng trưng cho dũng khí cũng hóa thành phế vật vô tri khi dharma bị đem ra tranh đoạt bằng bạo lực.

Word by Word

• ध्वजैः: with banners/standards
• ध्वजैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्वज
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र

• अपविद्धैः: thrown away / cast aside
• अपविद्धैः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अपविद्ध
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

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

• कार्मुकैः: with bows
• कार्मुकैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: कार्मुक
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Plural

• तोमरैः: with javelins/spears
• तोमरैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: तोमर
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• तथा: likewise
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा

• प्रासैः: with lances/spears
• प्रासैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रास
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• तथा: likewise
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा

• गदाभिः: with maces/clubs
• गदाभिः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: गदा
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental, Plural

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

• परिघैः: with iron bars/club-like weapons
• परिघैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: परिघ
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• कम्पनैः: with kampana-weapons (a kind of spear/weapon)
• कम्पनैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: कम्पन
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• तथा: likewise
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• dhvaja (banners/standards)
• kārmuka (bows)
• tomara (javelins)
• prāsa (lances/spears)
• gadā (maces)
• parigha (iron clubs)
• kampana (war-hammers/mauls)
• battlefield (Kurukṣetra context)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the transience of martial glory: banners and weapons—symbols of honor and power—end up scattered on the ground. It implicitly invites reflection on the ethical burden of war and the fragility of human pride when dharma is pursued through violent means.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya is reporting to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the दृश्य of the battlefield, describing how the area is littered with fallen standards and various weapons (bows, javelins, lances, maces, iron clubs, and heavy striking weapons), conveying the intensity and devastation of the fighting.