Mahabharata — Bhishma Parva, Shloka 30
भीष्मस्य अप्रतिमपराक्रमः — शिखण्डिपुरस्कृतः प्रहारः
Bhīṣma’s unmatched momentum and the assault with Śikhaṇḍin in the lead
उभौ चन्द्रार्कसदृशौ कान्त्या दीप्त्या च भारत | तथा तौ जातसंरम्भावन्योन्यवधकाड्क्षिणौ
ubhau candrārka-sadṛśau kāntyā dīptyā ca bhārata | tathā tau jāta-saṃrambhāv anyonya-vadha-kāṅkṣiṇau ||
Sañjaya dit : Ô Bhārata, tous deux brillaient comme la lune et le soleil, par leur beauté et leur éclat flamboyant. Pourtant, ils étaient aussi saisis d’une colère farouche, chacun résolu à donner la mort à l’autre — splendeur attelée à la sombre détermination du combat.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse juxtaposes outward splendor with inward fury: even the most radiant heroes can be driven by anger and mutual destructiveness. Ethically, it highlights how war magnifies both excellence and the peril of passions, urging discernment and restraint even amid duty-bound conflict.
Sañjaya describes two opposing warriors (implied from context) facing each other in battle. They appear dazzling—likened to the moon and sun—yet are inflamed with combat-rage, each determined to kill the other.