Shloka 423
कर्णस्य दानप्रतिज्ञा–शल्योपदेश–वाक्ययुद्धम्
Karna’s Gift-Vows, Shalya’s Counsel, and the Battle of Words
महारागानुरक्तानि वस्त्राणीव चकाशिरे | खूनसे भीगे हुए शस्त्र और कवच गाढ़े रंगमें रँगे हुए वस्त्रोंक॒ समान सुशोभित होते थे
mahārāgānuraktāni vastrāṇīva cakāśire |
Sañjaya berkata: Senjata dan zirah yang bermandi darah berkilau seolah-olah pakaian yang dicelup dalam merah kirmizi pekat. Gambaran itu menambah seri ngeri medan perang, dan menegaskan bagaimana perang mampu menjadikan alat pemusnah tampak indah secara menipu.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral tension of war: bloodshed can be portrayed with a terrible beauty, reminding the listener to look beyond surface splendor and recognize the underlying violence and suffering.
Sañjaya describes the battlefield scene where weapons and armor, soaked in blood, appear to shine like richly dyed garments—an evocative visual detail within the ongoing combat of the Karṇa Parva.