Shloka 6.54.32
वज्रदंष्ट्रवधः — The Slaying of Vajradaṃṣṭra (Angada’s Duel)
व्रणैस्सास्त्रैरशोभेतांपुष्पिताविवकिंशुकौ ।।6.54.32।।युध्यमानौपरिश्रान्तौजानुभ्यामवनींगतौ ।
vraṇaiḥ sāsrair aśobhetāṁ puṣpitāv iva kiṁśukau |
yudhyamānau pariśrāntau jānubhyām avanīṁ gatau |
With blood oozing from weapon-wounds, they looked like two kiṁśuka trees in bloom; yet, still fighting and worn with fatigue, they sank to the earth upon their knees.
Their wounds streaming blood, exhausted in the battlefield, when they rested on their knees on the ground, they were like charming Kimsuka blossoms.
Satya is central: the verse presents the truthful cost of conflict—beauty and horror intertwined. Dharma points toward restraint and the pursuit of justice so that violence is not glorified for its own sake.
Both fighters are badly wounded and exhausted; they drop to their knees even as the fight continues.
Endurance under suffering, and the refusal to yield despite physical collapse.