Shloka 6.44.24
चतुश्चत्वारिंशः सर्गः (Sarga 44): निशायुद्धम्, धूलिरुधिरप्रवाहः, इन्द्रजितो मायायुद्धम्
सुवर्णपुङ्खैर्विशिखैस्सपतद्भिस्सहस्रशः ।।।।बभूवरजनीचित्राखद्योतैरिवशारदी ।
suvarṇapuṅkhairviśikhaiḥ sapatadbhiḥ sahasraśaḥ | babhūva rajanī citrā khadyotairiva śāradī ||
As thousands of golden-feathered arrows fell without cease, the night grew wondrous—like an autumn night lit by fireflies.
By the rain of thousands of golden feathered arrows, the night appeared as if illumined by fireflies and like a wonderful autumnal night.
The poet uses the simile of an autumnal night illuminated by fireflies to describe the darkness of the battlefield lit up by thousands of golden-feathered arrows.
The 'golden-feathered arrows' (suvarṇapuṅkhaiḥ) signify the royal and high-quality weaponry used in the war, creating a visual spectacle that was both terrifying and beautiful (citrā) amidst the darkness.