Shloka 17
ततस्तौ पुरुषव्याप्रौ सर्वलोकथधनुर्धरौ । त्यक्तप्राणौ रणे वीरौ युद्धश्रममुपागतौ । समुत्क्षेपैवीज्यमानौ सिक्तौ चन्दनवारिणा
tatastau puruṣavyāghrau sarvalokātha dhanurdharau | tyaktaprāṇau raṇe vīrau yuddhaśramamupāgatau | samutkṣepairvījyamānau siktau candanavāriṇā ||
Sañjaya berkata: Kemudian kedua-dua lelaki laksana harimau itu—terkenal di mata seluruh dunia sebagai pemanah terunggul—setelah mempertaruhkan nyawa di medan laga, kedua-dua wira itu ditimpa keletihan perang. Mereka dikipas dengan kipas yang diangkat tinggi dan direnjis dengan air berharum cendana—sejenak rehat yang bermaruah di tengah tuntutan peperangan yang tidak mengenal henti.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the greatest heroes, though committed to their chosen duty in war, remain human—subject to exhaustion and in need of care. The verse highlights the ethical tension of battle: life is risked for perceived duty, yet compassion and restoration still have a place amid violence.
Sañjaya describes two eminent archers who, after intense fighting and risking their lives, become weary. Attendants (or companions) fan them and sprinkle them with sandal-scented water, indicating a short pause and recovery before the conflict continues.