Shloka 42

Adhyāya 18 — Sequential Duels and Formation Pressure

Ulūka–Yuyutsu; Śakuni–Sutasoma; Kṛpa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna; Kṛtavarmā–Śikhaṇḍin

Devanagari script

अश्वांश्व बहुधा पश्य शोणितेन परिप्लुतान्‌ । अनुकर्षनुपासज्रान्‌ पताका विविधान्‌ ध्वजान्‌

Transliteration

sañjaya uvāca |

aśvānś ca bahudhā paśya śoṇitena pariplutān |

anukarṣān upāsaṅgān patākā vividhān dhvajān |

Translation

Sañjaya nói: “Hãy nhìn những con ngựa nằm rải rác khắp nơi, đẫm máu. Và hãy nhìn cả anukarṣa và upāsaṅga (những dây kéo và bộ phận gắn theo của chiến xa), cùng cờ phướn và muôn loại kỳ hiệu—tất cả đều vung vãi trong đống hoang tàn của trận chiến.”

Word by Word

• अश्वान्: horses
• अश्वान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्व
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

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

• बहुधा: in many ways / in many places
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: बहुधा

• पश्य: see! / behold!
• Type: Verb
• Root: √पश् (दृश्)
• Form: Imperative, Second, Singular, Parasmaipada

• शोणितेन: with blood
• शोणितेन: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: शोणित
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• परिप्लुतान्: flooded/covered (all over)
• परिप्लुतान्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परि-√प्लु (प्लवते) → परिप्लुत
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• अनुकर्ष: the rear-drag/trace (part of a chariot-harness)
• अनुकर्ष: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनुकर्ष
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• उपासज्रान्: side-straps/fastenings (of harness)
• उपासज्रान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपासज्र
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• पताकाः: banners
• पताकाः: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: पताका
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Plural

• विविधान्: various
• विविधान्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विविध
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• ध्वजान्: standards/flags
• ध्वजान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्वज
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• horses (aśvāḥ)
• blood (śoṇita)
• anukarṣa (chariot fitting)
• upāsaṅga (chariot accessory)
• banners (patākāḥ)
• standards/flags (dhvajāḥ)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores the ethical gravity of war by highlighting its aftermath: not heroic triumph but blood, broken implements, and fallen animals. It invites sober reflection on dharma by making the cost of conflict visible and undeniable.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya, narrating the battle to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, points out the scene on the field—horses soaked in blood and chariot fittings, banners, and standards scattered about—signs of intense fighting and widespread destruction.