Shloka 32

भीमसेन-दुर्योधन-समागमः

Bhīmasena–Duryodhana Engagement at Sunset

Devanagari script

ते वध्यमाना भीष्मेण पञज्चाला: सोमकै: सह

Transliteration

te vadhyamānā bhīṣmeṇa pañcālāḥ somakaiḥ saha

Translation

三阇耶说道：般遮罗人与娑摩迦人结伴而战，却正被毗湿摩所斩杀摧折——这正是战争阴沉推进的写照：纵使名闻遐迩的盟友，也会在强大统帅的威势下被卷入苦难。

Word by Word

• ते: they (those)
• ते: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• वध्यमानाः: being slain / being killed
• वध्यमानाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वध्यमान (√वध्)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• भीष्मेण: by Bhīṣma
• भीष्मेण: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीष्म
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• पञ्चालाः: the Pāñcālas
• पञ्चालाः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: पञ्चाल
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• सोमकैः: with the Somakas
• सोमकैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: सोमक
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• सह: together with
• सह: Karana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सह

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Bhīṣma
• Pañcālas
• Somakas

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores the harsh reality of dharma in war: once battle is joined, even celebrated clans and allies can be overwhelmed by superior force. It invites reflection on the ethical cost of conflict and the inevitability of suffering when violence becomes the chosen means.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Bhīṣma is powerfully striking down the Pañcāla forces along with the Somakas, indicating the Kaurava commander’s dominance in that phase of the Kurukṣetra battle.