Shloka 5
नारायणास्त्र-शमनं द्रौणि-प्रहारश्च
Pacification of the Nārāyaṇāstra and Drauni’s Renewed Assault
रुक्मपुड्खैरजिद्ाग्रै: शरैश्छिन्नतनुच्छदौ । रुधिरौघपरिक्लिन्नौ व्यभ्राजेतां महामृथे,सोनेके पंख और सीधे अग्रभागवाले बाणोंसे उन दोनोंके कवच छिन्न-भिन्न हो गये थे। दोनों ही उस महासमरमें खूनसे लथपथ हो सुवर्णके समान विचित्र कान्तिसे सुशोभित हो रहे थे। वे दो कल्पवृक्षों और खिले हुए दो ढाकके पेड़ोंके समान समरांगणमें प्रकाशित हो रहे थे
sañjaya uvāca |
rukmapuṅkhair ajidāgraiḥ śaraiś chinnatanucchadau |
rudhiraughapariklinnaū vyabhrājetāṃ mahāmṛdhe |
Sañjaya said: With arrows whose shafts were fitted with golden feathers and whose points were straight and unyielding, the two warriors had their body-armour and coverings cut to pieces. Drenched in streams of blood, they yet shone in that great battle with a strange, gold-like radiance—standing forth on the field like two wish-fulfilling trees, or like two blossoming palāśa trees in full bloom.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the paradox of kṣatriya warfare: even amid grievous injury and bloodshed, warriors are portrayed as radiant and steadfast. Ethically, it underscores endurance and resolve in one’s appointed duty (dharma) while implicitly reminding the listener of the terrible human cost of battle.
Sañjaya describes two combatants in a fierce duel. Their armour has been shredded by golden-fletched, straight-pointed arrows; though drenched in blood, they continue to shine on the battlefield, compared (in the surrounding narration) to splendid trees standing out in the war-ground.