Mahabharata 7.79.5 — Drona Parva, Adhyaya 79, Shloka 5
Jayadratha-rakṣā: Conch Signals and Encirclement of Arjuna
Chapter 79
चारूपचितसर्वःा्िं स्वक्षं शस्त्रक्षताचितम् | भूतानि त्वां निरीक्षन्ते नूनं चन्द्रमिवोदितम्
cārūpacita-sarvāṅgaṁ suvaktraṁ śastra-kṣatācitam | bhūtāni tvāṁ nirīkṣante nūnaṁ candram ivoditam ||
ಸಂಜಯನು ಹೇಳಿದನು—ನಿನ್ನ ಸರ್ವಾಂಗವೂ ಸುಂದರವಾಗಿ ಪೋಷಿತ, ಮುಖವೂ ಮನೋಹರ; ಆದರೆ ಈಗ ಅದು ಶಸ್ತ್ರಘಾತಗಳ ಗಾಯಗಳಿಂದ ತುಂಬಿದೆ. ನಿಶ್ಚಯವಾಗಿ ಸಕಲ ಜೀವಿಗಳು ನಿನ್ನನ್ನು ಉದಯಿಸಿದ ಚಂದ್ರನಂತೆ ನೋಟಹಾಕುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the Mahābhārata’s ethical tension in war: even a heroic, well-formed body becomes vulnerable and transient. The moon-simile heightens compassion and reminds the listener that martial glory is inseparable from suffering and impermanence.
Sañjaya describes to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the sight of a warrior—once splendid in form—now lying wounded by weapons. He says that all beings look upon him as they would a newly risen moon, emphasizing both the striking appearance and the tragic reversal brought by battle.
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