Shloka 31
द्रोणेन केकय-चेदि-वीरवधः
Droṇa’s engagements with the Kekayas and Cedis
तानर्जुन: शरैस्तूर्ण निहत्य भरतर्षभ । व्यरोचत यथा बवल्निदावं दग्ध्वा हिमात्यये,भरतश्रेष्ठ! अर्जुन बाणोंद्वारा तुरंत ही उन सबका संहार करके ग्रीष्म-ऋतुमें वनको जलाकर प्रकाशित होनेवाले अग्निदेवके समान सुशोभित हुए
tān arjunaḥ śaraiḥ tūrṇaṁ nihatya bharatarṣabha | vyarocat yathā vahniḥ dāvam dagdhvā himātyaye ||
Sañjaya said: O bull among the Bharatas, Arjuna swiftly struck them down with his arrows, and then shone forth—like fire blazing bright after consuming a forest-conflagration at the end of winter. The verse frames Arjuna’s martial prowess as a force that, once unleashed in a righteous battle, becomes irresistibly radiant and overwhelming, emphasizing the terrible clarity of war when duty and skill converge.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how decisive action in a dharmic battle can manifest as overwhelming brilliance and effectiveness—yet it is compared to fire, reminding the listener that martial excellence is powerful, consuming, and morally weighty.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Arjuna rapidly kills the opposing warriors with arrows and then appears radiant, likened to a blazing fire after it has consumed a forest-fire at the turn of seasons.