Shloka 4
Gadāyuddhe Kṛṣṇopadeśaḥ (Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel in the Mace-Duel) — Śalya-parva 57
रुधिरोक्षितसर्वाड्री गदाहस्तौ मनस्विनौ । ददृशाते महात्मानौ पुष्पिताविव किशुकौ,उनके सारे अंग खूनसे लथपथ हो गये थे। हाथमें गदा लिये वे दोनों महामना मनस्वी वीर फूले हुए दो पलाश-वृक्षोंके समान दिखायी देते थे
sañjaya uvāca |
rudhirokṣita-sarvāṅgau gadā-hastau manasvinau |
dadṛśāte mahātmānau puṣpitāv iva kiśukau ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Kedua-dua pahlawan berjiwa besar itu, teguh tekadnya, menggenggam gada di tangan, dengan seluruh anggota tubuh bermandikan darah. Mereka tampak bagaikan dua pohon kiśuka (palāśa) yang sedang mekar penuh.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the paradox of righteous warfare in the epic: warriors may be noble and steadfast (mahātmā, manasvin) while still being physically marked by violence. It invites reflection on duty-bound valor and the moral weight of battle—glory is portrayed, but never without the stain and cost of bloodshed.
Sañjaya describes two warriors on the battlefield: both are covered in blood, holding maces, and appear striking—compared to two palāśa trees in bloom. The simile emphasizes their formidable presence and the vivid, almost radiant look of blood and battle-dust amid combat.