Shloka 17
द्रौणिप्रतिज्ञा–नारायणास्त्रवर्णनम्
Drauṇi’s Vow and the Description of the Nārāyaṇāstra
रुक्मपुड्खीै: प्रसन्नाग्रै: शरैश्छिन्नतनुच्छदौ । रुधिरीघपरिक्लिन्नौ व्यभ्राजेतां महामृथे,सोनेके पंख और स्वच्छ धारवाले बाणोंसे उस महासमरमें दोनोंके कवच कट गये थे और दोनों ही लहूलुहान होकर अद्भुत शोभा पा रहे थे
rukmapuṅkhaiḥ prasannāgraiḥ śaraiś chinnatanuccadau | rudhiraughapariklinnaū vyabhrājetāṃ mahāmṛdhe ||
قال سنجيا: في تلك المعركة العظمى قُطِّعت دروعهما بسِهامٍ ذات ريشٍ ذهبيّ ورؤوسٍ صافيةٍ حادّة؛ وقد غمرتهما سيولُ الدم، ومع ذلك لمع المحاربان ببهاءٍ غريبٍ مهيب—كاشفَين أنّه حتى في قلب عنف الحرب قد يتجلّى ثبات العزم وواجبُ المحارب (الدارما) كإشعاعٍ قاتم.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the paradox of dharma in war: even when bodies are wounded and armor is torn, a warrior’s steadfastness in duty (kṣatriya-dharma) can appear as a severe, awe-inspiring brilliance—reminding that ethical responsibility in conflict is inseparable from the reality of suffering it entails.
Sañjaya describes two combatants in a fierce duel: their armor has been shredded by sharp, golden-fletched arrows, and though they are soaked in blood, they still ‘shine’ on the battlefield—an image emphasizing the intensity of the fight and the unbroken resolve of the fighters.