Shloka 176
Adhyāya 104 — Śikhaṇḍin-puraskāraḥ (Śikhaṇḍin as Vanguard) and Bhīṣma’s Counter-Advance
विबभौ राक्षसश्रेष्ठ: सज्वाल इव पर्वत: | सुवर्णमय पंखसे युक्त उन बाणोंको अपने अंगोंमें धारण किये महाबली राक्षसश्रेष्ठ अलम्बुष अग्निकी ज्वालाओंसे युक्त पर्वतकी भाँति शोभा पा रहा था
sañjaya uvāca | vibabhau rākṣasaśreṣṭhaḥ sajvāla iva parvataḥ | suvarṇamaya-paṅkha-saiḥ yuktaṃ bāṇān svāṅgeṣu dhārayitvā mahābalī rākṣasaśreṣṭho ’lambuṣo ’gni-jvālā-yukta-parvata iva śobhāṃ prāpa |
Sañjaya berkata: Alambuṣa, yang terunggul dalam kalangan rākṣasa, bersinar cemerlang—laksana gunung yang diselubungi jilatan api. Walau anak-anak panah bersayap emas tertancap pada anggota tubuhnya sendiri, rākṣasa yang maha perkasa itu tampak gemilang, seolah-olah puncak yang menyala. Gambaran ini menegaskan keindahan ngeri peperangan: meski terluka, seorang pahlawan yang kuat masih dapat tampak menggetarkan, namun sinar itu tidak terpisah daripada keganasan dan penderitaan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the paradox of battlefield glory: a warrior may appear radiant and formidable even while pierced by arrows, but that splendor is born from conflict. It invites reflection on the ethical cost of war—power and brilliance are shown alongside injury and destruction.
Sanjaya describes Alambuṣa, a mighty rākṣasa fighter, who—though struck and carrying arrows in his body—still looks dazzling. The poet uses a simile: he resembles a mountain blazing with fire, emphasizing his terrifying presence in the battle.