Shloka 6.70.52
त्रिशिरा–देवान्तक–महोदर–मत्त (महापार्श्व) वधः | Slaying of Trisira, Devantaka, Mahodara, and Matta (Mahaparsva)
जग्राहार्चिष्मतींघोरांगदांसर्वायसींशुभां ।।6.70.51।।हेमपट्टपरिक्षिप्तांमांसशोणितफेनिलाम् ।विराजमानांवपुषांशत्रुशोणितरंजिताम् ।।6.70.52।।तेजसासंप्रदीप्ताग्रांरक्तमाल्यविभूषिताम् ।ऐरावतमहापद्मसार्वभौमभयावहाम् ।।6.70.53।।
hemapaṭṭaparikṣiptāṃ māṃsaśoṇitaphenilām |
virājamānāṃ vapuṣā śatruśoṇitarañjitām ||6.70.52||
He seized a mace plated with gold, spattered with froth of flesh and blood—its body gleaming, and reddened by the blood of enemies.
Mahaparsva seized hold of a good venerable, allpowerful mace plated with gold, smeared with flesh and blood, shining with lustre, shining red with enemy's blood, an effulgent one whose head has been glowing decorated with red flower garlands that brought terror to Airavatam, Mahapadma, and Sarvabhuama, the three elephants guarding the three of the four quarters.
The verse underscores the grim reality of adharmic violence in war: weapons become marked by bloodshed. By vividly describing the gore, the text implicitly contrasts righteous restraint with destructive ferocity.
In the midst of battle, the rākṣasa combatant (Mahāpārśva in the surrounding verses) arms himself, taking up a terrifying mace already stained by prior killing.
Martial prowess and fearsome readiness for combat are emphasized (vīrya), though the imagery also invites reflection on the moral cost of such brutality.