Shloka 15
शल्यपरिघातः (Śalya Under Encirclement) — Mahābhārata, Śalya-parva, Adhyāya 12
तौ गदाभिह्ठ तैगत्रि: क्षणेन रुधिरोक्षितौ । प्रेक्षणीयतरावास्तां पुष्पिताविव किंशुकौ
tau gadābhighātair gātreṣu kṣaṇena rudhirokṣitau | prekṣaṇīyatarāv āstāṁ puṣpitāv iva kiṁśukau ||
サンジャヤは言った。互いのガダー（棍棒）の激打を受け、二人の勇士の四肢はたちまち深い傷に覆われ、血に濡れそぼった。しかもなお、彼らは一層見るべき姿で立っていた――満開のキṁśuka（パラーシャ）二本の樹のように――戦の暴虐のただ中に、武勇の陰鬱な輝きをあらわして。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the paradox of kṣatriya warfare: even amid grievous injury and bloodshed, steadfast courage and martial excellence are portrayed as a kind of terrible beauty. It invites reflection on how valor is admired while violence remains morally weighty.
Sañjaya describes two combatants in a mace-duel who, after receiving deep blows, are quickly covered in blood. Despite their wounds, they appear striking—compared to two palāśa (kiṁśuka) trees blazing with red blossoms.