Shloka 21
Adhyāya 110: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Lament on Fate; Saṃjaya’s Reproof and the Princes’ Assault on Bhīma (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय ११०)
स विद्धो बहुभिर्बाणैनीलाज्जनचयोपम: । शुशुभे सर्वतो राजन् प्रफुल्ल इव किंशुक:
sa viddho bahubhir bāṇair nīlāñjanacayopamaḥ | śuśubhe sarvato rājan praphulla iva kiṃśukaḥ ||
Meski tertusuk banyak anak panah, ia yang gelap laksana tumpukan kolirium biru tetap tampak bersinar dari segala sisi, wahai Raja, bagaikan pohon kiṃśuka yang sedang mekar.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Mahābhārata’s ethical tension in war: valor and steadfastness are admired even when they arise amid violence and pain. It reflects the kṣatriya ideal of enduring wounds without losing composure, while implicitly reminding the listener of the tragic cost of such glory.
Sañjaya describes a warrior on the battlefield who has been pierced by many arrows. Despite being wounded and darkened in appearance, he still looks striking—compared to a kiṃśuka tree blazing with blossoms—emphasizing the dramatic, almost aestheticized spectacle of combat.