Shloka 15
धृतराष्ट्र-संजय-संवादः — सात्यकि-अलम्बुसयोर्युद्धवर्णनम्
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Saṃjaya Dialogue; Account of Sātyaki vs Alambusa
बाहुभिश्वन्दनादिग्धैः साड्गदैश्व विशाम्पते । हस्तिहस्तोपमैश्वापि भुजज्राभोगसंनिभै:
bāhubhiś candanādigdhaiḥ sāḍgadaiś ca viśāmpate | hastihastopamaiś cāpi bhujajra-bhoga-saṁnibhaiḥ ||
Sañjaya sprach: „O Herr der Menschen, sie waren mit Keulen bewaffnet, ihre mächtigen Arme mit Sandel und anderen Salben bestrichen; und ihre Glieder—wie Elefantenrüssel, wie die gewundenen Windungen großer Schlangen—schienen zum Zermalmen im Kampf geschaffen.“
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how war magnifies physical prowess and weaponry into awe-inspiring spectacle; ethically, it hints at the tragic irony that such cultivated strength and adornment (anointing with sandal) is directed toward destruction rather than protection.
Sañjaya is describing formidable fighters to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, emphasizing their readiness for close combat with clubs and portraying their arms and bodies through vivid similes—elephant trunks and serpent coils—to convey overwhelming force.