Shloka 7
नारायणास्त्र-शमनं द्रौणि-प्रहारश्च
Pacification of the Nārāyaṇāstra and Drauni’s Renewed Assault
तावुभौ समरे शूरौ शरकण्टकिनौ तदा । व्यराजेतां महाराज कण्टकैरिव शाल्मली,महाराज! जैसे काँटोंसे सेमरका वृक्ष सुशोभित होता है, उसी प्रकार वे दोनों शूरवीर समरभूमिमें बाणरूपी कंटकोंसे युक्त दिखायी देते थे
tāv ubhau samare śūrāu śara-kaṇṭakinau tadā | vyarājetāṃ mahārāja kaṇṭakair iva śālmalī ||
サンジャヤは言った。「大王よ、その時、戦場の二人の勇士は矢を棘のように身に受けながらも、なお輝いて見えた――鋭い棘に覆われたシャールマリー樹（śālmalī、木棉樹）が目を引くように。この譬えは戦における勇の凄絶な華を示す。身が貫かれても胆力は耐え、戦場の『美』は苦痛と切り離せぬのだ。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the paradox of martial glory: valor can appear ‘splendid’ even amid wounds. It reflects the epic’s sober view of kṣatriya-dharma—courage and steadfastness in battle—while implicitly reminding that such splendor is purchased through pain and violence.
Sañjaya describes two opposing heroes in the thick of combat. Both are pierced and covered with arrows, yet they still stand out on the battlefield, compared to a thorny śālmalī tree whose spines make it look striking.