Shloka 10
Droṇa-pātana-paripṛcchā (Inquiry into the Fall of Droṇa) | द्रोणपातनपरिपृच्छा
तस्य शोणितदिग्धाड्ा: शोणास्ते वातरंहस: । आजानेया हया राजन्नविश्रान्ता ध्रुवं ययु:,उनके घोड़े स्वभावत: लाल रंगके थे। उसपर भी उनके सारे अंग खूनसे लथपथ होनेके कारण वे और भी लाल दिखायी देते थे। उनका वेग वायुके समान तीव्र था। राजन्! उन घोड़ोंकी नस्ल अच्छी थी और वे बिना विश्राम किये निरन्तर दौड़ लगाते रहते थे
sañjaya uvāca | tasya śoṇitadigdhāḥ śoṇāste vātaraṁhasaḥ | ājāneyā hayā rājann aviśrāntā dhruvaṁ yayuḥ ||
Sañjaya said: His horses—naturally chestnut in color—were now smeared with blood and therefore appeared even more red. Swift as the wind, O King, those well-bred steeds ran on unwearied, pressing forward without pause amid the violence of battle.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how war leaves visible stains even on what is noble and beautiful: the finest steeds are marked by blood, yet are driven onward without rest. It implicitly highlights the relentless momentum of battle and the ethical cost borne by all participants and instruments of war.
Sañjaya describes to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra the condition and qualities of a warrior’s chariot-horses: naturally red, now further reddened by blood, exceptionally swift like the wind, of excellent breed, and continuing to run without stopping amid the fighting.