Shloka 9
Adhyāya 14: Śalya’s Missile-Pressure and the Pāṇḍava Convergence (शल्यस्य शरवर्षम्)
स रथ: सर्वतो भाति चित्रपुड्खै: शितै: शरै:
sa rathaḥ sarvato bhāti citrapuḍkhaiḥ śitaiḥ śaraiḥ
Sanjaya melaporkan bahawa kereta perang itu bersinar dari segala sisi, menjadi gemerlap kerana anak-anak panah tajam dengan bulu ekor beraneka warna tertancap di sekelilingnya—suatu gambaran yang menegaskan bahawa dalam keganasan perang, bahkan alat perang pun boleh tampak mempesona sambil menanggung bekas-bekas kekerasan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the paradox of war: the chariot’s ‘radiance’ comes from being covered with sharp arrows. It invites reflection on how martial glory and visual splendor can mask suffering and destruction, reminding the listener to distinguish true dharma from mere spectacle.
Sañjaya describes a chariot in the midst of combat. It appears bright from every direction because numerous sharp, color-fletched arrows are lodged in it, indicating intense missile exchange and the ferocity of the ongoing fight.