Shloka 14
कर्णस्य एकाकि-प्रहारः तथा पाण्डव-महारथ-परिवेष्टनम् | Karṇa’s concentrated assault and the Pāṇḍava encirclement
दिव्यैश्व माल्यैरविविधैश्व गन्धै- दिव्यैश्व रत्नैविविधैर्नराग्रयान् । रणे स्वकर्मोद्गहत: प्रवीरा- नवाकिरजन्नप्सरस: प्रह्ृष्टा:,रणभूमिमें अपने कर्मका ठीक-ठीक भार वहन करनेवाले मनुष्योंमें श्रेष्ठ प्रमुख वीरोंपर हर्षमें भरी हुई अप्सराएँ दिव्य हारों, भाँति-भाँतिके सुगन्धित पदार्थों एवं नाना प्रकारके दिव्य रत्नोंकी वर्षा करती थीं
divyaiś ca mālyair avividhaiś ca gandhair divyaiś ca ratnair vividhair narāgryān | raṇe svakarmodgataḥ pravīrān avākirajann apsarasaḥ prahṛṣṭāḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Di medan perang, para Apsara yang bersukacita menaburkan ke atas para lelaki terunggul—wira yang teguh memikul sepenuhnya beban tugas yang ditetapkan bagi diri mereka—kalungan bunga syurgawi, pelbagai harum-haruman, dan aneka permata ilahi.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the Mahābhārata ethic that steadfastly carrying one’s own duty (svakarma/svadharma)—even amid the terror of battle—can be spiritually meritorious. The celestial shower symbolizes honor granted to those who do not abandon their rightful role and responsibility.
Sañjaya describes a battlefield moment where celestial Apsarases, rejoicing, rain down divine garlands, fragrances, and jewels upon the foremost warriors who are fully engaged in their martial duty—marking them as heroes worthy of heavenly recognition.