Shloka 18
द्रौणिप्रतिज्ञा–नारायणास्त्रवर्णनम्
Drauṇi’s Vow and the Description of the Nārāyaṇāstra
तपनीयनिभौ चित्रौ कल्पवृक्षाविवाद्भुतौ । किंशुकाविव चोत्फुल्लौ व्यकाशेतां रणाजिरे,वे दोनों सुवर्णके समान विचित्र, कल्पवृक्षके समान अद्भुत और खिले हुए दो पलाशवृक्षोंके समान अनूठी शोभासे सम्पन्न हो रणभूमिमें प्रकाशित हो रहे थे
tapanīyanibhau citrau kalpavṛkṣāv ivādbhūtau | kiṃśukāv iva cotphullau vyakāśetāṃ raṇājire ||
Sañjaya said: On the battlefield, the two shone with a singular splendor—variegated like refined gold, wondrous like the wish-fulfilling kalpavṛkṣa, and radiant like two fully blossomed kiṃśuka (flame-of-the-forest) trees. The image suggests that even amid violence, heroic presence can dazzle, deepening both awe of valor and the tragic beauty of war.
संजय उवाच