Shloka 57

Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda

Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps

Devanagari script

भग्नं तु स्वबलं दृष्टवा भगदत्तेन धीमता

Transliteration

bhagnaṃ tu svabalaṃ dṛṣṭvā bhagadattena dhīmatā

Translation

三阇耶说道：见己方军势被智勇的婆伽达多击溃，他便觉察到战局已至险峻的转折。

Word by Word

• भग्नम्: broken, routed
• भग्नम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भग्न (√भञ्ज्)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• तु: but, however
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु

• स्वबलम्: his own army/force
• स्वबलम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वबल
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• Type: Verb
• Root: √दृश्
• Form: Absolutive (Gerund)

• भगदत्तेन: by Bhagadatta
• भगदत्तेन: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगदत्त
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• धीमता: by the wise/clever one
• धीमता: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धीमत्
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Bhagadatta

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how leadership and discernment in war can decisively affect morale and outcomes: when one’s own forces are broken, a responsible warrior must perceive reality clearly and respond with steadiness rather than denial.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that a side’s troops have been routed after encountering Bhagadatta’s prowess; the line sets up the reaction of those who witness their own army’s collapse under his effective command and strength.