Mahabharata 7.138.28 — Drona Parva, Adhyaya 138, Shloka 28
अन्धकार-रजःसंमूढे रणाङ्गणे प्रदीपप्रकाशः | Illumination of the Army in Darkness and Dust
रक्तचन्दनदिग्धाड़ौ शरै: कृतमहाव्रणौ । शोणिताक्तौ व्यराजेतां चन्द्रसूर्याविवोदितो
sañjaya uvāca |
raktacandanadigdhāṅgau śaraiḥ kṛtamahāvraṇau |
śoṇitāktau vyarājetāṃ candrasūryāv ivoditau ||
സഞ്ജയൻ പറഞ്ഞു—ചുവന്ന ചന്ദനലേപം പുരട്ടിയ ശരീരങ്ങളോടെ, അമ്പുകളാൽ മഹാവ്രണങ്ങളായി പിളർന്നും രക്തത്തിൽ നനഞ്ഞും നിന്ന ആ രണ്ടു വീരന്മാർ, ഉദയവേളയിൽ സൂര്യനും ചന്ദ്രനും ഒരുമിച്ച് ഉദിക്കുന്നതുപോലെ ദീപ്തരായി തെളിഞ്ഞു।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Mahābhārata’s recurring contrast: the outward radiance of warrior valor can coexist with—and even mask—the inner horror of violence. It invites reflection on kṣatriya-dharma (the warrior code) and the ethical cost of glory gained through bloodshed.
Sañjaya describes two combatants in the midst of battle: their bodies are anointed with red sandal paste, yet they are heavily wounded by arrows and covered in blood. Despite this, they appear striking and radiant, compared to the simultaneous rising of the sun and moon.
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