Shloka 15
शल्यपरिघातः (Śalya Under Encirclement) — Mahābhārata, Śalya-parva, Adhyāya 12
तौ गदाभिह्ठ तैगत्रि: क्षणेन रुधिरोक्षितौ । प्रेक्षणीयतरावास्तां पुष्पिताविव किंशुकौ,उन दोनोंके अंगोंमें गदाकी गहरी चोटोंसे घाव हो गये थे। अतः दोनों ही क्षणभरमें खूनसे नहा गये। उस समय खिले हुए दो पलाशवृक्षोंके समान वे दोनों वीर देखने ही योग्य जान पड़ते थे
tau gadābhighātair gātreṣu kṣaṇena rudhirokṣitau | prekṣaṇīyatarāv āstāṁ puṣpitāv iva kiṁśukau ||
Sañjaya said: Struck hard by the blows of their maces, both warriors’ limbs were quickly covered with wounds and drenched in blood. Even so, they stood all the more worth beholding—like two kiṁśuka (palāśa) trees in full bloom—revealing the grim splendor of valor amid the violence of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the paradox of kṣatriya warfare: even amid grievous injury and bloodshed, steadfast courage and martial excellence are portrayed as a kind of terrible beauty. It invites reflection on how valor is admired while violence remains morally weighty.
Sañjaya describes two combatants in a mace-duel who, after receiving deep blows, are quickly covered in blood. Despite their wounds, they appear striking—compared to two palāśa (kiṁśuka) trees blazing with red blossoms.