Shloka 35
भीष्मस्य अप्रतिमपराक्रमः — शिखण्डिपुरस्कृतः प्रहारः
Bhīṣma’s unmatched momentum and the assault with Śikhaṇḍin in the lead
ललाटस्थैस्तु तैर्बाणै: शुशुभे पाण्डवो रणे | यथा मेरुर्महाराज शज्ैरत्यर्थमुच्छितै:,ललाटमें लगे हुए उन बाणोंद्वारा पाण्डुनन्दन अर्जुन युद्धमें उसी प्रकार शोभा पाने लगे, जैसे मेरुपर्वत अपने तीन अत्यन्त ऊँचे शिखरोंसे सुशोभित होता है
sañjaya uvāca | lalāṭasthais tu tair bāṇaiḥ śuśubhe pāṇḍavo raṇe | yathā merur mahārāja śṛṅgair atyartham ucchitaiḥ ||
Dijo Sañjaya: Con aquellas flechas clavadas en la frente, el hijo de Pāṇḍu resplandecía en el campo de batalla. Oh gran rey, parecía el monte Meru, espléndido con sus cumbres altísimas—y sus heridas, según la ética del guerrero firme, eran señales de una resolución intacta en medio del choque de las armas.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of steadfast courage: even when visibly wounded, a righteous warrior does not lose composure, and endurance itself becomes a kind of splendor—strength directed toward one’s duty in the midst of conflict.
Sañjaya describes Arjuna in the thick of battle, with arrows stuck in his forehead, yet still radiant and formidable. He uses a simile: Arjuna’s appearance is compared to Mount Meru adorned with towering peaks.