Mahabharata · 7.56.32–33
॥
Devanāgarī
गदां कौमोदकीं दिव्यां शक्तिं चक्रं धनुः शरान् ॥
आरोप्य वै रथे सूत सर्वोपकरणानि च ॥
स्थानं हि कल्पयित्वा च रथोपस्थे ध्वजस्य मे ॥
वैनतेयस्य वीरस्य समरे रथशोभिनः ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
gadāṃ kaumodakīṃ divyāṃ śaktiṃ cakraṃ dhanuḥ śarān ||
āropya vai rathe sūta sarvopakaraṇāni ca ||
sthānaṃ hi kalpayitvā ca rathopasthe dhvajasya me ||
vainateyasya vīrasya samare rathaśobhinaḥ ||
Word-by-word
SanskritIASTMeaning
गदाम् कौमोदकीम् दिव्याम्gadām kaumodakīm divyāmthe mace Kaumodaki, divine; the divine mace Kaumodaki
शक्तिम् चक्रम् धनुः शरान्śaktim cakram dhanuḥ śarānthe javelin, the discus, the bow, the arrows; the javelin, the discus, the bow, the arrows
आरोप्य वै रथेāropya vai rathehaving placed upon the chariot; having placed upon the chariot
सूतsūtaO charioteer; O charioteer
सर्वोपकरणानि चsarvopakaraṇāni caand all the equipment; and all the gear
स्थानम् हि कल्पयित्वा चsthānam hi kalpayitvā caand having prepared a place; and having arranged a place
रथोपस्थे ध्वजस्य मेrathopasthe dhvajasya meon the platform of the chariot for my banner; on the platform for my banner
वैनतेयस्य वीरस्यvainateyasya vīrasyaof the hero, son of Vinata [Garuda]; the warrior, son of Vinata
समरे रथशोभिनःsamare rathaśobhinaḥin battle, adorning the chariot; in combat, gracing the chariot
Translation
"…having placed upon the chariot, O charioteer, the divine mace Kaumodaki, the javelin, the discus, the bow, the arrows, and all the equipment; and having prepared, on the platform of the chariot, a place for my banner — the hero, the son of Vinata [Garuda], who adorns the chariot in battle…"
Version
de407e1322db · published Jul 19, 2026, 3:36:52 PM UTC
Available inRUENPage between verses with
Krishna lists his weapons — the mace Kaumodaki, the discus (Sudarshana), the bow Sharnga — and the banner bearing Garuda, the carrier of Vishnu. It is telling that the Lord, ready to enter battle for the sake of his devotee, orders everything to be equipped with care, according to the rule: even the all-powerful is fitting to observe due order. The banner of Garuda is the sign of Vishnu himself. The verse teaches that God's love for the devotee is active and thorough: he does not confine himself to feeling but prepares all that is needed; and behind the friendship with Arjuna stands the whole fullness of divine weaponry, ready to stand in defense of his dear servant.