Shloka 7
Bhīṣma-parva Adhyāya 16 — Saṃjaya’s Boon, Bhīṣma’s Protection, and the Dawn Arraying of Armies
तत्र नागा रथाश्वैव जाम्बूनदपरिष्कृता: । विभ्राजमाना दृश्यन्ते मेघा इव सविद्युत:,जाम्बूनद नामक सुवर्णसे विभूषित आपके हाथी और रथ बिजलियोंसहित मेघोंकी घटाके समान प्रकाशमान दिखायी देते थे
tatra nāgā rathāś caiva jāmbūnadapariṣkṛtāḥ | vibhrājamānā dṛśyante meghā iva savidyutaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: There, the elephants and the chariots, adorned with Jāmbūnada gold, were seen shining brilliantly—like clouds lit up with lightning. The image underscores the dazzling martial splendor of the assembled forces, where outward magnificence signals the gravity and imminence of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how external brilliance—golden adornment and dazzling display—can accompany the approach of destructive conflict; it invites reflection on the contrast between martial splendor and the suffering war brings.
Sañjaya is describing to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the appearance of the armies on the battlefield: elephants and chariots decorated with fine gold gleam like thunderclouds streaked with lightning.