Shloka 25
विशालायतताम्राक्षै: पूर्णचन्द्रनिभाननै: । एषा भू: कीर्यते राज्ञां शिरोभिरपलायिनाम्
viśālāyatataṃrākṣaiḥ pūrṇacandranibhānanaiḥ | eṣā bhūḥ kīryate rājñāṃ śirobhir apalāyinām ||
Medan perang ini sedang ditaburi kepala-kepala raja yang tidak lari dari pertempuran. Mata mereka besar dan kemerahan, wajah mereka elok laksana bulan purnama—namun kini berserak di tanah, menjadi saksi ngeri akan harga keberanian yang tidak berundur.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the grim paradox of martial virtue: steadfastness and refusal to flee are praised in kṣatriya-dharma, yet war reduces even noble, moon-faced kings to severed heads on the ground. It invites reflection on the ethical weight and human cost of righteous combat.
Arjuna describes the battlefield after intense fighting: the ground is covered with the severed heads of kings who stood their ground and did not retreat, emphasizing both their valor and the horrific aftermath of battle.