Shloka 4
Gadāyuddhe Kṛṣṇopadeśaḥ (Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel in the Mace-Duel) — Śalya-parva 57
रुधिरोक्षितसर्वाड्री गदाहस्तौ मनस्विनौ । ददृशाते महात्मानौ पुष्पिताविव किशुकौ,उनके सारे अंग खूनसे लथपथ हो गये थे। हाथमें गदा लिये वे दोनों महामना मनस्वी वीर फूले हुए दो पलाश-वृक्षोंके समान दिखायी देते थे
sañjaya uvāca |
rudhirokṣita-sarvāṅgau gadā-hastau manasvinau |
dadṛśāte mahātmānau puṣpitāv iva kiśukau ||
സഞ്ജയൻ പറഞ്ഞു—ആ രണ്ടു മഹാത്മാക്കളായ ധീരന്മാരുടെ ശരീരമൊട്ടാകെ രക്തത്തിൽ നനഞ്ഞിരുന്നു; കൈകളിൽ ഗദ പിടിച്ച് അവർ പുഷ്പിച്ച രണ്ടു കിംശുക (പലാശ) വൃക്ഷങ്ങളെപ്പോലെ ദൃശ്യമായി।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the paradox of righteous warfare in the epic: warriors may be noble and steadfast (mahātmā, manasvin) while still being physically marked by violence. It invites reflection on duty-bound valor and the moral weight of battle—glory is portrayed, but never without the stain and cost of bloodshed.
Sañjaya describes two warriors on the battlefield: both are covered in blood, holding maces, and appear striking—compared to two palāśa trees in bloom. The simile emphasizes their formidable presence and the vivid, almost radiant look of blood and battle-dust amid combat.