Shloka 4.23.19
ताराविलापः (Tārā’s Lament over Vāli)
पेतुः क्षतजधारास्तु व्रणेभ्यस्तस्य सर्वशः।ताम्रगैरिकसम्पृक्ता धारा इव धराधरात्।।
tasya niṣkṛṣyamāṇasya bāṇasya ca babhau dyutiḥ | astamastakasaṁruddho raśmir dinakarād iva ||
As that arrow was being pulled out, its radiance appeared like a sunbeam from the orb of the sun, checked by the crest of the western mountain.
The streams of blood that flowed all over from the wounds of his body appeared like streams of water mixed with red and copper colour.
The verse underscores satya in narration—events are described with vivid clarity, reminding readers that heroic conflict still ends in bodily vulnerability.
The arrow is being extracted, and the text describes its shining appearance through a sunset-mountain simile.
Not a personal virtue, but the epic’s didactic craft: truthful witnessing paired with disciplined poetic expression.