Shloka 18

Vāg-yuddha and Nimitta-darśana before the Gadāyuddha

Verbal Duel and Omens

Devanagari script

ततो भीमो महाकोटिं गदां गृह्माथ वर्मभूत्‌

Transliteration

tato bhīmo mahākoṭiṁ gadāṁ gṛhṇātha varmabhūt

Translation

三阇耶说道：于是，毗摩抓起一柄巨大的利刃般锋锐的钉头槌；披甲在身，仿佛化作一具活的胸甲，准备迎接战局下一次凶猛的转折。

Word by Word

• ततः: then, thereafter
• ततः: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः
• Form: Avyaya (ablatival adverb: 'from there/then')

• भीमः: Bhima
• भीमः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीम
• Form: Masculine, nominative, singular

• महाकोटिम्: very sharp-pointed (great-tipped)
• महाकोटिम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाकोटि
• Form: Feminine, accusative, singular

• गदाम्: mace
• गदाम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: गदा
• Form: Feminine, accusative, singular

• गृह्माथ: seized, took up
• Type: Verb
• Root: ग्रह्
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person, singular, Parasmaipada

• वर्मभूत्: became (as) armor / became armored
• Type: Verb
• Root: वर्मभू
• Form: Aorist (लुङ्), 3rd person, singular, Parasmaipada

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Bhīma
• gadā (mace)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights kṣatriya resolve: in the midst of chaos, a warrior must gather strength, arm himself, and act decisively. Ethically, it reflects the Mahābhārata’s tension between necessary duty in war and the grim reality of violence.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya describes Bhīma’s immediate action on the battlefield: he grips a formidable mace and stands fully prepared—armoured and unyielding—signaling an imminent clash or escalation.