Shloka 30
(खड्गप्रहारैः सुभृशं जघ्नतुश्च॒ परस्परम् पीडितौ खड्गघाताभ्यां स्रवद् रक्तौ क्षितौ भृशम् ।। शुशुभाते महावीर्यावुभौ समरदुर्जयौ । असूगुक्षितसर्वाज्ि पुष्पिताविव किंशुकौ ।।) वे तलवारोंकी मारसे एक-दूसरेको अत्यन्त घायल करने लगे। खड्गके आघातसे पीड़ित हो दोनों ही पृथ्वीपर रक्त बहाने लगे। उनके सारे अंग रक्तरंजित हो रहे थे। अतः वे रणदुर्जय महापराक्रमी वीर खिले हुए दो पलाश-वृक्षोंकी भाँति अत्यन्त सुशोभित होने लगे। ततः सात्यकिमभ्येत्य निस्त्रिंशवरधारिणम् । भीमसेनस्त्वरन् राजन् रथमारोपयत् तदा,राजन! तदनन्तर उत्तम खड़ग धारण करनेवाले सात्यकिके पास पहुँचकर भीमसेनने उस समय तुरंत उन्हें अपने रथपर बिठा लिया
sañjaya uvāca |
khaḍgaprahāraiḥ subhṛśaṃ jaghnatuś ca parasparam |
pīḍitau khaḍgaghātābhyāṃ sravad raktau kṣitau bhṛśam ||
śuśubhāte mahāvīryāv ubhau samaradurjayau |
asṛgukṣitasarvāṅgau puṣpitāv iva kiṃśukau ||
tataḥ sātyakim abhyetya nistriṃśavaradhāriṇam |
bhīmasenas tvaran rājan ratham āropayat tadā ||
Sañjaya said: Striking each other fiercely with sword-blows, the two warriors wounded one another again and again. Tormented by the cuts of their blades, both poured out blood upon the earth in abundance. With every limb smeared in gore, those mighty heroes—hard to overcome in battle—shone like two kiṃśuka (palāśa) trees in full bloom. Then Bhīmasena, O king, hastening to Sātyaki, the bearer of an excellent sword, lifted him up onto his chariot at that time.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the grim reality of kṣatriya warfare: valor and beauty are paradoxically described through blood and injury, while ethical emphasis falls on steadfastness in duty and comradeship—Bhīma’s swift aid to Sātyaki reflects solidarity amid the destructive demands of battle.
Two formidable warriors exchange severe sword-blows, both bleeding heavily and appearing like flowering kiṃśuka trees because their bodies are drenched in red. Immediately afterward, Bhīma rushes to Sātyaki—who holds a fine sword—and places him onto his chariot, implying protection or withdrawal to safety/advantage.