Gadāyuddhe Kṛṣṇopadeśaḥ (Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel in the Mace-Duel) — Śalya-parva 57
स भूय: शुशुभे पार्थस्ताडितो गदया रणे । उद्धिन्नरुधिरो राजन् प्रभिन्न इव कुज्जर:
sa bhūyaḥ śuśubhe pārthas tāḍito gadayā raṇe | uddhinnarudhiraḥ rājan prabhinna iva kuñjaraḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Struck again by the mace in the midst of battle, Pārtha shone all the more, O King—his blood streaming forth, like a rutting elephant that has been pierced. The verse underscores a warrior’s steadfastness: even when wounded, he does not abandon resolve, but manifests a heightened radiance born of courage and duty amid suffering.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights heroic steadfastness: a righteous warrior, even when wounded, does not collapse into despair but displays greater brilliance through courage and commitment to duty (kṣatriya-dharma).
Sañjaya describes Arjuna (Pārtha) being struck again by a mace during the battle; despite bleeding heavily, he appears even more resplendent, compared to a pierced, rutting elephant.