Shloka 6
Aśvatthāmā’s Lamentation, Vow of Retaliation, and the Manifestation of the Nārāyaṇāstra (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय १६६)
व्यदीप्यन्त दिश: सर्वा: प्रदीपैस्तै: समन््ततः । वर्षाप्रदोषे खद्योतैर्व॒ता वृक्षा इवाबभु:,उन प्रदीपोंसे सब ओर सारी दिशाएँ ऐसी प्रदीप्त हो उठीं, मानो वर्षाके सायंकालमें जुगनुओंसे घिरे हुए वृक्ष जगमगा रहे हों
vyadīpyanta diśaḥ sarvāḥ pradīpais taiḥ samantataḥ | varṣāpradoṣe khadyotair vṛtā vṛkṣā ivābhabhuḥ ||
Sañjaya said: All the directions blazed on every side with those lamps, as though, at the dusk of the rainy season, trees encircled by fireflies were shimmering with light.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse offers no direct moral injunction; its ethical resonance lies in contrast: dazzling light can accompany destructive action. It invites reflection on how beauty and brilliance may be enlisted in service of war, reminding the listener to discern purpose (prayojana) behind appearances.
Sañjaya describes the battlefield scene at night: lamps are lit all around, making every direction glow. He compares this to trees glittering with fireflies at rainy-season twilight, emphasizing the uncanny, widespread illumination amid the ongoing conflict.