Shloka 144
Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
Devanagari script
दुर्गमां पदवीं गत्वा विरराज जनक्षये
Transliteration
durgamāṁ padavīṁ gatvā virarāja janakṣaye
Translation
抵达那条险峻难行之路后，他在众人覆灭之中显得格外夺目——在战场的荒芜与毁坏里，当生命被摧折之时，他的身影突兀而明晰。
Word by Word
दुर्गमाम्difficult (to traverse)
दुर्गमाम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootदुर्गमा
FormFeminine, Accusative, Singular
पदवीम्path, course, track
पदवीम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootपदवी
FormFeminine, Accusative, Singular
गत्वाhaving gone
गत्वा:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootगम्
Formक्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral), Non-finite
विरराजshone forth, was splendid
विरराज:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootराज्
Formलिट् (Perfect), Third, Singular, Parasmaipada
जनक्षयेin the destruction of people; in the massacre
जनक्षये:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootजनक्षय
FormMasculine, Locative, Singular
Speaker
संजय उवाच
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 line underscores the grim paradox of war: even when someone displays brilliance or prowess, it occurs within “janakṣaya,” the ruin of human life. It invites ethical reflection on how glory and success can be inseparable from collective suffering in adharma-leaning violence.
Sañjaya describes a figure moving through a perilous course and then standing out conspicuously amid widespread killing. The emphasis is on the harsh terrain or difficult undertaking and the prominence achieved in the midst of battlefield devastation.