Mahabharata — Virata Parva, Shloka 60

Adhyāya 55: Pārtha–Rādheya Saṃvāda and Tactical Exchange

Chapter 55

Devanagari script

ततो<5भ्यवहदव्यग्रो वैराटि: सव्यसाचिनम्‌ । यत्रातिष्ठत्‌ कृपो राजन्‌ योत्स्यमानो धनंजयम्‌

Transliteration

tato 'bhyavahad avyagro vairāṭiḥ savyasācinam | yatrātiṣṭhat kṛpo rājan yotsyamāno dhanañjayam ||

Translation

Bấy giờ, con trai của Virāṭa là Uttara, lòng vững như núi, không hề bối rối, lại hết sức thận trọng, liền đánh xe đưa Savyasācin (Arjuna) đến nơi—hỡi Đại vương—mà Kṛpa đang đứng chờ, sẵn sàng giao chiến với Dhanañjaya.

Word by Word

• ततः: then, thereafter
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः

• अभ्यवहत्: led/conveyed (towards)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वह्
• Form: Imperfect (Lan), 3, singular

• अव्यग्रः: unagitated, attentive
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अव्यग्र
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

• वैराटिः: the son of Virata (Uttara)
• वैराटिः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैराटि
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

• सव्यसाचिनम्: Arjuna (ambidextrous archer)
• सव्यसाचिनम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: सव्यसाचिन्
• Form: masculine, accusative, singular

• यत्र: where
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यत्र

• अतिष्ठत्: stood
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था
• Form: Imperfect (Lan), 3, singular

• कृपः: Kripa
• कृपः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृप
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

• राजन्: O king
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन्
• Form: masculine, vocative, singular

• योत्स्यमानः: intending to fight / about to fight
• Type: Verb
• Root: युध्
• Form: future active participle (periphrastic sense), masculine, nominative, singular

• धनंजयम्: Dhananjaya (Arjuna)
• धनंजयम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: धनंजय
• Form: masculine, accusative, singular

Speaker

अजुन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Arjuna (Savyasācin, Dhanañjaya)
• Uttara (son of Virāṭa)
• Virāṭa
• Kṛpa (Kṛpācārya)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights steadiness under pressure: even in imminent conflict, one should act with composure and clarity. It reflects kṣatriya-dharma—engaging in rightful battle without fear, confusion, or impulsiveness.

What is happening in the narrative?

After hearing Arjuna’s instruction, Uttara (Virāṭa’s son) confidently drives Arjuna’s chariot to where Kṛpa is positioned, ready to fight Arjuna. It sets the stage for the confrontation with Kṛpa in the Kurus’ attempt to seize Virāṭa’s cattle.