Shloka 29
Śalya Appointed as Karṇa’s Sārathi; Discourse on Praise, Blame, and Beneficial Counsel (कर्णस्य शल्यसारथ्यं तथा स्तवनिन्दाविचारः)
ववाम रुधिरं गात्रै: कुम्भवक्त्रादिवोदकम् | कृतवर्मा उन बाणोंसे क्षत-विक्षत होकर अत्यन्त कुपित हो उठा और जैसे घड़ेके मुहसे जल गिर रहा हो, उसी प्रकार वह अपने अंगोंसे रक्त वमन करने लगा ।। रुधिरेण परिक्लिन्न: कृतवर्मा त्वराजत
vavāma rudhiraṃ gātraiḥ kumbhavaktrādivodakam | rudhireṇa pariklinnaḥ kṛtavarmā tvarājata ||
Sañjaya said: Kṛtavarmā, his body torn and wounded by those arrows and inflamed with fury, began to vomit blood from his limbs—like water pouring from the mouth of a jar. Drenched in blood, Kṛtavarmā still shone forth, his warrior-splendor undiminished even amid grievous injury.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the grim reality of war: even a renowned warrior’s brilliance is inseparable from bodily suffering. It implicitly questions the cost of wrath and martial pride, showing how valor persists amid pain but does not erase the ethical weight of violence.
Sañjaya describes Kṛtavarmā after being struck by many arrows: he is badly wounded, enraged, and blood pours from his body like water from a jar’s mouth; yet, though drenched in blood, he still appears radiant as a fighter.