Shloka 31
भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय ६६: तुमुलसंग्रामवर्णनम्
The Tumult of Battle Described
योधास्त्वदीया: शरवर्षैरवर्षन् मेघा यथा भूधरमम्बुवेगै: । तथापि त॑ धारयितुं न शेकु- मध्यन्दिने सूर्यमिवातपन्तम्,वृष्णिवंशके श्रेष्ठ पुरुष सात्यकि आकर शत्रुओंके बीचमें विचर रहे हैं और युद्धस्थलमें कौरवसेनाके मुख्य-मुख्य वीरोंको भगाते हुए बारंबार गर्जना कर रहे हैं; यह सुनकर आपके योद्धा उनपर उसी प्रकार बाणोंकी वर्षा करने लगे, जैसे मेघ पर्वतपर जलकी धाराएँ गिराते हैं, इतनेपर भी वे दोपहरके तपते हुए सूर्यकी भाँति उन्हें रोक न सके
yodhās tvadīyāḥ śaravarṣair avarṣan meghā yathā bhūdharam ambuvegaiḥ | tathāpi taṃ dhārayituṃ na śekuḥ madhyandine sūryam ivātapantam ||
Sañjaya said: Your warriors showered him with volleys of arrows, as clouds pour rushing streams of water upon a mountain. Yet they could not check him—he blazed like the scorching midday sun, unrestrained amid the press of battle.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness under overwhelming opposition: sheer quantity of force (arrow-showers) does not guarantee moral or strategic success when confronted by a resolute, capable warrior. It also reflects the epic’s emphasis on kṣatriya-dharma—courage and endurance amid danger—expressed through vivid natural similes.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Kaurava fighters unleash intense volleys of arrows at a single advancing hero (contextually Sātyaki), likened to clouds pouring torrents on a mountain; despite this, they cannot restrain him, for he presses on like the blazing midday sun.