Shloka 38
द्रोणवध-प्रश्नः
Droṇa’s Fall: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Inquiry
रुक्ममालाधरा: शूरा हेमपृष्ठा: स्वलंकृता: । काशिराजं नरश्रेष्ठ श्लाघनीयमुदावहन्,सुवर्णमाला धारण करनेवाले शूरवीर और सुवर्ण रंगके पृष्ठभागवाले सजे- सजाये घोड़े स्पृहणीय नरश्रेष्ठ काशिराजको रणभूमिमें ले गये
rukmamālā-dharāḥ śūrā hemapṛṣṭhāḥ svalankṛtāḥ | kāśirājaṃ naraśreṣṭha ślāghanīyam udāvahan ||
サンジャヤは語った。金の花綱を掛け、背が黄金のように輝く、勇ましく飾り立てられた馬たちが、称賛に値する人の中の最上たるカーシー王を戦場へと運んだ。この偈は、王の名誉と武の華やぎが危地へ赴く戦士に寄り添い、名声と義務が衆目の前で試されることを示している。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Kṣatriya world-view where external signs of honor—ornamented steeds, royal display, public praise—accompany the warrior into battle, reminding that reputation and duty (dharma) are upheld in full view even amid violence.
Sañjaya describes the Kāśi king being borne into the fray by splendidly decorated horses, emphasizing his prominence and the ceremonial-martial grandeur surrounding his entry into battle.