Mahabharata — Virata Parva, Shloka 32
Adhyāya 55: Pārtha–Rādheya Saṃvāda and Tactical Exchange
Chapter 55
अर्जुनानिलभिगन्नानि वनान्यर्जुनविद्विषाम् । चक्रुलोहितधाराभिर्धरणीं लोहितान्तराम्,अर्जुनके शत्रुरूपी वन अर्जुनरूपी वायुसे ही छिन्न-भिन्न हो लाल धाराएँ (रक्त) बहाकर पृथ्वीको भी लाल करने लगे
vaibamp01yana uv01ca |
arjun01nilabhigann01ni van01ny arjunavidvi 6301m |
cakrur lohitadh01r01bhir dhara 472bm lohit01ntar01m ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Les forêts hostiles à Arjuna, frappées par l’assaut d’Arjuna semblable au vent, furent déchirées et mises en pièces, laissant jaillir des flots rouges, si bien que la terre elle-même parut striée et emplie de rougeur. L’image souligne qu’une force écrasante, lorsqu’elle est déchaînée au combat, peut transformer jusqu’au paysage — rappel que la violence marque au-delà de l’ennemi immédiat et requiert donc retenue et juste intention selon le dharma.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses a powerful simileArjuna as a wind that shreds an enemy forestto highlight that martial power can overwhelm everything in its path. Ethically, it implies that such force must be governed by dharma, because its effects spread beyond the immediate opponent and stain the world around it.
Vaibamp01yana describes Arjunas fierce advance: the forest, treated as if hostile to him, is battered like by a storm, broken apart, and made to run with red streams, leaving the ground appearing red-streaked.