Shloka 7
तद् युद्धमभवद् घोर चित्ररूपं च भारत । इन्द्रियप्रीतिजननं सर्वपार्थिवपूजितम्
tad yuddham abhavad ghoraṁ citrarūpaṁ ca bhārata | indriyaprītijananaṁ sarvapārthivapūjitam, bharatanandana ||
Sañjaya said: That battle between the two became dreadful, O Bharata—strange in its many forms and yet captivating to the senses. It was celebrated and praised by all the kings, O joy of the Bharatas.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the paradox of war: it is ghora (terrible) in consequence and violence, yet it can appear citrarūpa (spectacular) and even indriyaprītijanana (sensually thrilling) to onlookers and rulers. Ethically, it cautions that aesthetic admiration and royal praise can mask the suffering and moral gravity inherent in battle.
Sanjaya continues reporting the Kurukṣetra events to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, describing how the combat between the opposing forces intensified into a fearsome yet dazzling spectacle—so striking that many kings spoke of it with admiration.