Shloka 4
नारायणास्त्र-शमनं द्रौणि-प्रहारश्च
Pacification of the Nārāyaṇāstra and Drauni’s Renewed Assault
तावुभौ समरे शूरौ शरकण्टकिनौ तदा । व्यराजेतां महाराज श्वाविधौ शललैरिव,महाराज! वे दोनों शूरवीर समरांगणमें बाणरूपी कंटकोंसे युक्त होकर काँटेदार शरीरवाले साहीके समान सुशोभित हो रहे थे
tāv ubhau samare śūrāu śara-kaṇṭakinau tadā | vyarājetāṃ mahārāja śvāvidhau śalalair iva ||
サンジャヤは言った。「大王よ、その二人の勇士は戦のただ中に立ち、矢が棘のように突き立っていながら、なお鮮やかに輝いていた――まるで針に覆われた二匹のヤマアラシのように。この譬えは戦の凄絶な華を示す。勇は目に見えるが、苦痛と肉体の代価から切り離せぬのだ。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the paradox of martial glory: warriors may 'shine' through courage and steadfastness, yet that radiance is inseparable from wounds and pain. It invites reflection on the ethical weight of war—valor does not erase suffering, but duty and endurance are still praised within the kṣatriya framework.
Sañjaya describes two opposing heroes in the battlefield who have been pierced by many arrows. Despite being covered with arrow-shafts like spikes, they remain standing and appear striking—compared to porcupines bristling with quills.