Shloka 5
नारायणास्त्र-शमनं द्रौणि-प्रहारश्च
Pacification of the Nārāyaṇāstra and Drauni’s Renewed Assault
रुक्मपुड्खैरजिद्ाग्रै: शरैश्छिन्नतनुच्छदौ । रुधिरौघपरिक्लिन्नौ व्यभ्राजेतां महामृथे
sañjaya uvāca |
rukmapuṅkhair ajidāgraiḥ śaraiś chinnatanucchadau |
rudhiraughapariklinnaū vyabhrājetāṃ mahāmṛdhe |
Sañjaya sprach: „Von Pfeilen mit goldenen Federn am Schaft und geraden, unbeugsamen Spitzen wurden den beiden Kriegern Panzer und Körperbedeckungen in Stücke geschnitten. Von Blutströmen durchnässt, leuchteten sie in jener großen Schlacht dennoch in einem seltsam goldgleichen Glanz—und ragten auf dem Feld hervor wie zwei Kalpavṛkṣa, die wunscherfüllenden Bäume, oder wie zwei palāśa in voller Blüte.“
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the paradox of kṣatriya warfare: even amid grievous injury and bloodshed, warriors are portrayed as radiant and steadfast. Ethically, it underscores endurance and resolve in one’s appointed duty (dharma) while implicitly reminding the listener of the terrible human cost of battle.
Sañjaya describes two combatants in a fierce duel. Their armour has been shredded by golden-fletched, straight-pointed arrows; though drenched in blood, they continue to shine on the battlefield, compared (in the surrounding narration) to splendid trees standing out in the war-ground.