Shloka 26
मौज्जीधराश्न राजेन्द्र तथा कुज्चितमूर्थजा: । उष्णीषिणो मुकुटिनश्नारुवक्त्रा: स्वलड्कृता:,राजेन्द्र! कोई मूँजकी मेखला पहने हुए थे, किन्हींके सिरके बाल घूँघराले दिखायी देते थे, कोई पगड़ी धारण किये हुए थे तो कोई मुकुट। कितनोंके मुख बड़े ही मनोहर थे। कितने ही सुन्दर आभूषणोंसे विभूषित थे
sañjaya uvāca | mauñjīdharāś ca rājendra tathā kuñcitamūrdhajāḥ | uṣṇīṣiṇo mukuṭinaś cāruvaktrāḥ svalāṅkṛtāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “O king, some wore girdles of muñja-grass; some had curly hair. Some were wrapped in turbans, while others bore crowns. Many had pleasing, handsome faces, and many were adorned with fine ornaments.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse offers no direct moral injunction; its ethical resonance lies in contrast: even those marked by status, beauty, and ornamentation are swept into the same violent aftermath of war. It underscores the fragility of worldly distinctions amid adharma-driven destruction.
Sañjaya is describing to the king the varied appearance and attire of the people/warriors being seen—some with ritual belts, some with curly hair, some with turbans or crowns, many handsome and ornamented—setting a vivid scene within the grim events of the Sauptika episode.