Shloka 38
द्रोणवध-प्रश्नः
Droṇa’s Fall: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Inquiry
रुक्ममालाधरा: शूरा हेमपृष्ठा: स्वलंकृता: । काशिराजं नरश्रेष्ठ श्लाघनीयमुदावहन्,सुवर्णमाला धारण करनेवाले शूरवीर और सुवर्ण रंगके पृष्ठभागवाले सजे- सजाये घोड़े स्पृहणीय नरश्रेष्ठ काशिराजको रणभूमिमें ले गये
rukmamālā-dharāḥ śūrā hemapṛṣṭhāḥ svalankṛtāḥ | kāśirājaṃ naraśreṣṭha ślāghanīyam udāvahan ||
Sañjaya berkata: Kuda-kuda gagah yang berhias indah, berkalungkan emas dan berbelakang berkilau seperti emas, membawa Raja Kāśi—insan terbaik yang patut dipuji—ke medan tempur. Rangkap ini menegaskan bahawa kehormatan diraja dan kemegahan perang mengiringi seorang pahlawan ke dalam bahaya, tempat nama dan kewajipan diuji di hadapan khalayak.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Kṣatriya world-view where external signs of honor—ornamented steeds, royal display, public praise—accompany the warrior into battle, reminding that reputation and duty (dharma) are upheld in full view even amid violence.
Sañjaya describes the Kāśi king being borne into the fray by splendidly decorated horses, emphasizing his prominence and the ceremonial-martial grandeur surrounding his entry into battle.