Shloka 84
अलंबलवधः (Alaṃbala-vadhaḥ) / The Slaying of Alaṃbala and the Advance toward Karṇa
चित्रकाज्चनसंनाहैवाजिमुख्यैर्विशाम्पते । घण्टाजालाकुलरवं शक्तितोमरविद्युतम्,प्रजानाथ! उन घोड़ोंको विचित्र स्वर्णमय कवचोंसे सुसज्जित किया गया था। वे सभी अश्व अच्छी श्रेणीके थे। उनसे जुते हुए उस रथमें क्षुद्र घंटिकाओंके समूहसे निकलती हुई मधुर ध्वनि व्याप्त हो रही थी। वहाँ रखे हुए शक्ति और तोमर आदि शस्त्र विद्युतूके समान प्रकाशित होते थे
sañjaya uvāca |
citrakāñcanasaṃnāhair vājimukhyair viśāmpate |
ghaṇṭājālākularavaṃ śaktitomaravidyutam, prajānātha |
O lord of the people, the foremost horses were outfitted with splendid harness and armor of variegated gold. The chariot they drew resounded with the sweet, pervasive sound of clustered small bells; and the weapons set there—spears and tomara-javelins—flashed like lightning.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the contrast between the alluring pageantry of war (golden harness, bell-sounds, flashing weapons) and the grave ethical reality of violence. It invites reflection that royal power and military brilliance must still be weighed against dharma and responsibility.
Sañjaya describes a chariot prepared for battle: elite horses are adorned with ornate golden equipment; the chariot rings with clustered bells; and spears and javelins gleam like lightning—an image of readiness and impending combat.