Shloka 136
Droṇa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna-yuddha (द्रोण-धृष्टद्युम्न-युद्धम्) — Tactical duel and allied interventions
वसन्ते पुष्पशबलौ पुष्पिताविव किंशुकौ । वे दोनों महाबली वीर सर्वांगमें बाणोंसे छिदे होनेके कारण वसन्त-ऋतुमें खिले हुए दो पुष्पयुक्त पलाश वृक्षोंके समान शोभा पा रहे थे
vasante puṣpaśabalau puṣpitāv iva kiṃśukau |
Sañjaya berkata: Pada musim bunga, dua wira perkasa itu—ditusuk anak panah di seluruh tubuh—tampak gemilang, bagaikan dua pohon kiṃśuka (palāśa) yang sedang mekar penuh, bertabur warna bunga.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Mahābhārata’s moral tension in warfare: valor and steadfastness are praised, yet the beauty of the simile intensifies the sorrow of violence—suggesting that dharma in battle includes courage and endurance, but never erases the tragedy of harm.
Sañjaya describes two powerful warriors on the battlefield who are riddled with arrows; their appearance is compared to two palāśa (kiṃśuka) trees blooming in spring, creating a vivid visual of bodies marked by arrows like branches covered in blossoms.