Mahabharata — Bhishma Parva, Shloka 3163

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

Devanagari script

विकोशैर्विमलै: खड्गैरभिजग्मु: परान्‌ रणे | जो चमकीली तलवारें पहले चितकबरे अथवा साधारण व्याप्र-चर्मकी बनी हुई म्यानोंमें बंद रहती थीं

Transliteration

sañjaya uvāca | vikośair vimalaiḥ khaḍgair abhijagmuḥ parān raṇe |

Translation

三阇耶说道：战士们执明亮无瑕、已然出鞘的利剑，逼近敌军，于战阵中冲杀，贴身斩落对手。那些先前封在虎皮斑纹或寻常皮革剑鞘中的闪耀长剑，如今尽皆拔出；凭此，勇士们在战场上屠戮敌方。此景凸显交锋的冷峻决意：一旦兵刃出鞘，技艺与胆魄便化为致命之举，而刹帝利之法（kṣātra-dharma）驱使人们与敌正面相见。

Word by Word

• विकोशैः: with unsheathed (drawn out)
• विकोशैः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विकोश
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• विमलैः: with spotless/bright
• विमलैः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विमल
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• खड्गैः: with swords
• खड्गैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: खड्ग
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• अभिजग्मुः: they went up to/attacked
• अभिजग्मुः: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-गम्
• Form: Perfect (Liṭ), Third, Plural

• परान्: the enemies/others
• परान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• रणे: in battle
• रणे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: रण
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sanjaya
• khaḍga (sword)
• raṇa (battlefield)
• parāḥ (foes/enemies)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the irreversible moral weight of entering battle: once swords are drawn, intent becomes action. It reflects kṣātra-dharma—courage and duty in war—while implicitly reminding that such duty carries grave consequences.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sanjaya describes warriors drawing their gleaming swords and advancing directly against opposing fighters on the battlefield, engaging in close combat and killing enemies.