Rajo-dhūli-saṃmūḍha-saṅgrāmaḥ
The Dust-Obscured Battle and Mutual Charges
ते तु बाणमयं वर्ष शड्खमूर्थ्नि न््यपातयन् | निदाघान्ते5निलोद्धूता मेघा इव नगे जलम्
te tu bāṇamayaṁ varṣaṁ śaṅkhamūrdhni nyapātayan | nidāghānte 'niloddhūtā meghā iva nage jalam ||
ତାପରେ ସେମାନେ ଶଙ୍ଖଙ୍କ ମସ୍ତକ ଉପରେ ବାଣମୟ ବର୍ଷା ପାତ କଲେ—ଯେପରି ଗ୍ରୀଷ୍ମାନ୍ତେ ପବନରେ ଚାଳିତ ମେଘମାନେ ପର୍ବତ ଉପରେ ଜଳ ବର୍ଷାନ୍ତି।
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights the overwhelming, almost natural-force character of warfare: when conflict escalates, actions become like storms—testing steadiness, courage, and adherence to one’s duty even amid fear and harm.
A group of warriors begins a concentrated barrage of arrows aimed at Śaṅkha’s head. Sañjaya describes it through a vivid simile: wind-driven clouds at summer’s end pouring rain on a mountain.