Shloka 8

Arjuna’s Advance toward Bhīṣma; The Gāṇḍīva’s Signal and the Armies’ Convergence (भीष्माभिमुखगमनम् — गाण्डीवनिर्घोष-ध्वजवर्णनम्)

Devanagari script

ततो भीमो महाबाहु: स्वरथं सुमहाबल:

Transliteration

tato bhīmo mahābāhuḥ svarathaṃ sumahābalaḥ

Translation

三阇耶说道：于是毗摩——臂力雄健、神力惊人——乘着自己的战车向前推进。

Word by Word

• ततः: then, thereafter
• ततः: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (तद्-प्रातिपदिकात् अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable)

• भीमः: Bhima
• भीमः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीम
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• महाबाहुः: mighty-armed
• महाबाहुः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाबाहु
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• स्वरथम्: his own chariot
• स्वरथम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वरथ
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• सुमहाबलः: of very great strength
• सुमहाबलः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुमहाबल
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Bhīma
• chariot (ratha)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights that power and prowess gain meaning when aligned with one’s chosen duty (kṣatriya responsibility in battle). Bhīma’s strength is presented not as mere aggression but as purposeful resolve within the demands of war.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya narrates that Bhīma, renowned for immense strength, moves forward with his own chariot—signaling his entry or advance in the unfolding combat sequence of the Bhīṣma Parva.