Shloka 57
भीष्मधनंजयद्वैरथम्
Bhīṣma–Dhanaṃjaya Duel and the Opening Clash
Devanagari script
तयो: शड्खनिनादेन रथनेमिस्वनेन च
Transliteration
tayoḥ śaṅkhaninādena rathanemisvanena ca
Translation
三阇耶说道：因海螺的长鸣与战车轮辋的轰隆滚响，战场充满雷霆般的喧震——这是勇士决心的外在征兆；当正与邪对权柄的争夺，正走向公开的冲突。
Word by Word
तयोःof those two
तयोः:
Adhikarana
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
Formmasculine/neuter, genitive, dual
शङ्खनिनादेनby the sound of the conch
शङ्खनिनादेन:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootशङ्खनिनाद
Formmasculine, instrumental, singular
रथनेमिस्वनेनby the sound of the chariot-wheels (rims)
रथनेमिस्वनेन:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootरथनेमिस्वन
Formmasculine, instrumental, singular
चand
च:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootच
Speaker
संजय उवाच
Characters & Entities
Ś
śaṅkha (conch)R
ratha (chariot)N
nemi (wheel rim)Character Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
War Context
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Geographic Context
Meter (Chandas)
Sandhi Notes
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how external signals—conches and chariot-wheels—announce the irreversible commencement of war. Ethically, it frames the conflict as a public, witnessed turning-point where inner intentions (resolve, pride, duty) manifest outwardly, pressing the question of dharma into action.
Sañjaya describes the rising din on the field: the two sides’ conches and the rolling chariots create a roaring soundscape, marking the armies’ mobilization and the immediate approach of battle.