Shloka 51
Śalya-hatānantarāṇi: Madrarāja-padānugānāṃ praskandana and the Pandava counter-encirclement (शल्यहतानन्तराणि—मद्रराजपदानुगानां प्रस्कन्दनम्)
नासाक्षिकर्णास्यविनि:सृतेन प्रस्यन्दता च व्रणसम्भवेन । संसिक्तगात्रो रुधिरेण सो5भूत् क्रौज्चो यथा स्कन्दहतो महाद्रि:
sañjaya uvāca |
nāsākṣikarṇāsyaviniḥsṛtena prasyandatā ca vraṇasambhavena |
saṃsiktagātro rudhireṇa so 'bhūt krauñco yathā skandahato mahādriḥ ||
संजय बोले— नाक, आँख, कान और मुख से निकलते तथा घावों से बहते रक्त से शल्य का समस्त शरीर भीग गया। वह ऐसा जान पड़ता था, जैसे स्कन्द की शक्ति से आहत महापर्वत क्रौंच लालिमा लिये झरनों से तर हो गया हो।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dehumanizing reality of battle: physical prowess and status collapse into vulnerability and pain. By comparing a warrior’s blood-soaked body to a mythic mountain struck by a god, it implicitly critiques the devastation inherent in war and reminds the listener of impermanence and the heavy ethical cost of violence.
Sañjaya describes Śalya grievously wounded: blood pours from his facial openings and from his wounds, soaking his entire body. The scene is intensified through a simile—like Mount Krauñca drenched when struck by Skanda—emphasizing the severity of the blow and the battlefield’s horror.