Shloka 34
किरज्छरसहस्राणि सुप्रतीकशिरोगत: । ऐरावतस्थो मघवान् वारिधारा इवानघ,निष्पाप नरेश! भगदत्त सुप्रतीककी पीठपर बैठकर सहस्रों बाणोंकी वर्षा करने लगे, मानो देवराज इन्द्र ऐगावतपर आरूढ़ हो झलकी धारा गिरा रहे हों
sañjaya uvāca | kiracchara-sahasrāṇi supratīka-śiro-gataḥ | airāvata-stho maghavān vāridhārā iva anagha niṣpāpa nareśa |
قال سنجيا: إن بهاگاداتا، جالسًا على سوبْراتيكا فوق رأسه، أفرغ آلاف السهام كأنها مطرٌ منهمر—كمغافان (إندرا) راكبًا إيرافاتا يُنزل سيول الغيث. وهكذا، أيها الملك الطاهر من الإثم، أمطر ساحة القتال بالأسلحة، فاشتدّ أوار الحرب وغضبها.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of formidable martial capacity in war, using a divine simile to frame human action within a larger cosmic imagination. Ethically, it underscores how battlefield prowess can appear awe-inspiring and ‘godlike,’ even while serving the destructive momentum of war—inviting reflection on power, duty, and consequence.
Sañjaya describes Bhagadatta fighting from atop his elephant Supratīka, showering the enemy with countless arrows. His assault is compared to Indra riding Airāvata and sending down torrents of rain.