Shloka 33
Śānti Parva, Adhyāya 52 — Bhīṣma’s Humility Before Kṛṣṇa and the Granting of Boons
ततो रथै: काउचनचित्रकूबरै- महीधराभै: समदैश्ष दन्तिभि: | हयै: सुपर्णरिव चाशुगामिभि: पदातिभि क्षात्तशरासनादिशभि:,ततः पुरस्ताद् भगवान् निशाकर: समुत्थितस्तामभिहर्षयं श्षमूम् । दिवाकरापीतरसा महौषधी: पुन: स्वकेनैव गुणेन योजयन् इसके बाद पूर्व दिशाके आकाशमें भगवान् चन्द्रदेवका उदय हुआ, जो उस सेनाका हर्ष बढ़ा रहे थे और सूर्यने जिन बड़ी-बड़ी ओषधियोंका रस पी लिया था, उन सबको अपनी सुधावर्षी किरणों-द्वारा पुनः: उनके स्वाभाविक गुणोंसे सम्पन्न कर रहे थे
tato rathaiḥ kāñcanacitrakūbaraiḥ mahīdharābhaiḥ samadaiś ca dantibhiḥ | hayaiḥ suparṇair iva cāśugāmibhiḥ padātibhiḥ kṣāttśarāsanādibhiḥ || tataḥ purastād bhagavān niśākaraḥ samutthitas tām abhiharṣayañ chamūm | divākarāpītarasā mahauṣadhīḥ punaḥ svakenaiva guṇena yojayan ||
Entonces aparecieron carros con yugos de oro, ricamente ornamentados; elefantes orgullosos y enormes como montañas; caballos veloces, que corrían como aves en pleno vuelo; y soldados de a pie provistos de flechas, arcos y demás armas. Después, en el cielo del oriente, se alzó la bienaventurada Luna, alegrando a aquel ejército; y con sus rayos, semejantes al néctar, devolvió a las grandes hierbas medicinales la savia misma que el Sol les había extraído, restituyéndoles su potencia natural.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse suggests that even when human beings assemble for violent action, the larger moral-cosmic order continues to operate: the Moon’s cooling, restorative influence counterbalances the Sun’s drying heat, symbolizing renewal, restraint, and the return of natural potency. It implicitly commends steadiness and moderation—qualities essential for dharmic governance and disciplined conduct in times of conflict.
Vaiśampāyana describes the mustering of a formidable force—chariots, elephants, swift horses, and armed infantry. As night advances, the Moon rises in the east, heartening the army, and is poetically said to restore the juices of medicinal plants that were ‘drunk’ by the Sun during the day.