Shloka 31
कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ५७
Arjuna’s targeted advance; Śalya–Karṇa dialogue; interception attempts
विचित्रमणिचित्रांश्व जातरूपपरिष्कृतान् । अश्वास्तरपरिस्तोमान् राड़कवान् पतितान् भुवि
vicitramaṇicitrāṃśva jātārūpapariṣkṛtān | aśvāstaraparistomān rāḍakāvān patitān bhuvi ||
サンジャヤは言った。「地には、馬の背に敷くための鞍覆いが数多く落ちていた。色とりどりの宝石を織り込み、金糸で飾り、ルル鹿の皮で作られたものだ。戦場はかくして王者の栄華の破滅をさらし、貴重な装飾と贅沢な備えが持ち主とともに倒れ伏したことを物語っていた。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the fragility of worldly magnificence: even the most luxurious royal accoutrements—gold-embroidered, gem-studded coverings—end up scattered on the ground in war, reminding the listener that pride in wealth and display is unstable before death and violence.
Sañjaya describes the battlefield scene to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, noting that many ornate saddle-cloths and horse-coverings, made of fine deer-hide and decorated with gems and gold, are lying fallen on the earth—evidence of the chaos and losses among warriors and their mounts.