Shloka 28
भीष्मवधाय प्रयाणम् — The Advance toward Bhīṣma and Counter-Engagements
तैश्नापि विद्धः शुशुभे रुधिरेण समुक्षित: । गिरि: प्रस्रवणैर्यद्वद् गैरिकादिविमिश्रितै:,फिर उनके द्वारा भी अत्यन्त घायल किये जानेपर आपका पुत्र रक्तसे नहा उठा और गेरु आदि धातुओंसे मिश्रित झरनोंके जलसे युक्त पर्वतकी भाँति शोभा पाने लगा
taiś cāpi viddhaḥ śuśubhe rudhireṇa samukṣitaḥ | giriḥ prasravaṇair yadvat gairikādivimiśritaiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “Though struck and grievously wounded by them as well, your son shone—bathed in blood—like a mountain made beautiful by streams flowing down, their waters mingled with red ochre and other minerals.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the paradox of martial glory: courage and endurance can appear ‘splendid’ even when drenched in blood. It invites reflection on kṣatriya-dharma and the ethical tension between valor and the suffering inherent in war.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that his son, though badly wounded by opponents, still looked striking—his blood-soaked body compared to a mountain beautified by mineral-tinted streams.