Shloka 28
अन्धकार-रजःसंमूढे रणाङ्गणे प्रदीपप्रकाशः | Illumination of the Army in Darkness and Dust
रक्तचन्दनदिग्धाड़ौ शरै: कृतमहाव्रणौ । शोणिताक्तौ व्यराजेतां चन्द्रसूर्याविवोदितो,उन दोनोंने अपने शरीरमें लाल चन्दन लगा रखे थे। इसके सिवा उनके शरीरमें बाणोंके आघातसे बड़े-बड़े घाव हो गये थे। इस प्रकार खूनसे लथपथ हुए वे दोनों योद्धा उदयकालीन सूर्य और चन्द्रमाके समान शोभा पा रहे थे
sañjaya uvāca |
raktacandanadigdhāṅgau śaraiḥ kṛtamahāvraṇau |
śoṇitāktau vyarājetāṃ candrasūryāv ivoditau ||
Sañjaya said: Smeared with red sandal paste, their bodies torn by arrows into great wounds and drenched in blood, those two warriors shone—like the moon and the sun rising together.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Mahābhārata’s recurring contrast: the outward radiance of warrior valor can coexist with—and even mask—the inner horror of violence. It invites reflection on kṣatriya-dharma (the warrior code) and the ethical cost of glory gained through bloodshed.
Sañjaya describes two combatants in the midst of battle: their bodies are anointed with red sandal paste, yet they are heavily wounded by arrows and covered in blood. Despite this, they appear striking and radiant, compared to the simultaneous rising of the sun and moon.