Shloka 483

Adhyāya 18 — Sequential Duels and Formation Pressure

Ulūka–Yuyutsu; Śakuni–Sutasoma; Kṛpa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna; Kṛtavarmā–Śikhaṇḍin

Devanagari script

छत्राणि चापविद्धानि चामरव्यजनानि च । “राजाओंकी चूड़ामणियाँ, विचित्र स्वर्णमालाएँ, छत्र, चँवर और व्यजन फेंके पड़े हैं

Transliteration

chatrāṇi cāpaviddhāni cāmaravyajanāni ca |

Translation

三阇耶说道：“华盖被弃置在地，牦牛尾拂与诸般扇具亦然——王者的仪仗竟遗落于战场。此景宣告：在战争不偏不倚的暴力之前，君王的荣华亦告崩塌；骄矜与尊位，终被贬作可弃之物。”

Word by Word

• छत्राणि: umbrellas
• छत्राणि: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: छत्र
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Plural

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• आपविद्धानि: cast away, thrown down
• आपविद्धानि: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अपविद्ध
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Plural

• चामर: yak-tail fly-whisks (chowries)
• चामर: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: चामर
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Plural

• व्यजनानि: fans
• व्यजनानि: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्यजन
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Plural

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• chatrāṇi (royal umbrellas)
• cāmara (yak-tail whisk)
• vyajana (fan)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores the impermanence of worldly power: royal emblems like umbrellas and ceremonial fans, once signs of sovereignty, become meaningless when dharma is tested in war. It cautions against pride in external status and highlights how conflict strips away illusion and display.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya describes the battlefield aftermath or ongoing devastation, noting that royal insignia—umbrellas, yak-tail whisks, and fans—are lying discarded. The imagery conveys disorder, defeat, or the sudden reversal of fortune among kings and warriors.