Mahabharata 7.170.17 — Drona Parva, Adhyaya 170, Shloka 17
द्रौणिप्रतिज्ञा–नारायणास्त्रवर्णनम्
Drauṇi’s Vow and the Description of the Nārāyaṇāstra
रुक्मपुड्खीै: प्रसन्नाग्रै: शरैश्छिन्नतनुच्छदौ । रुधिरीघपरिक्लिन्नौ व्यभ्राजेतां महामृथे
rukmapuṅkhaiḥ prasannāgraiḥ śaraiś chinnatanuccadau | rudhiraughapariklinnaū vyabhrājetāṃ mahāmṛdhe ||
Sañjaya dijo: En aquella gran batalla, sus cotas de malla fueron hechas pedazos por flechas de emplumado dorado y puntas claras, agudas; empapados en torrentes de sangre, los dos guerreros, aun así, resplandecían con un fulgor extraño y temible—mostrando que, en medio de la violencia de la guerra, la firme determinación y el deber del guerrero pueden manifestarse como una radiancia sombría.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the paradox of dharma in war: even when bodies are wounded and armor is torn, a warrior’s steadfastness in duty (kṣatriya-dharma) can appear as a severe, awe-inspiring brilliance—reminding that ethical responsibility in conflict is inseparable from the reality of suffering it entails.
Sañjaya describes two combatants in a fierce duel: their armor has been shredded by sharp, golden-fletched arrows, and though they are soaked in blood, they still ‘shine’ on the battlefield—an image emphasizing the intensity of the fight and the unbroken resolve of the fighters.
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