Shloka 21
Nakula’s Engagement with Citra-sena and Karṇa’s Sons; Śalya Re-stabilizes the Kaurava Host
राजन! खुले नेत्रोंवाले प्राणशून्य घायल मस्तकोंसे ढकी हुई पृथ्वी लाल कमलोंसे आच्छादित हुई-सी शोभा पाती थी ।।
bāhubhiḥ śvandanādigdhaiḥ sakeyūraiḥ mahādhanaiḥ | patitair bhāti rājendra mahāśakradhvajair iva ||
ସଞ୍ଜୟ କହିଲେ—ହେ ରାଜନ! ଚନ୍ଦନଲେପରେ ସୁଗନ୍ଧିତ, କେୟୂର ଓ ଅନ୍ୟ ମହାମୂଲ୍ୟ ଆଭୂଷଣରେ ଭୂଷିତ ଛିନ୍ନ ବାହୁଗୁଡ଼ିକ ପୃଥିବୀରେ ପଡ଼ିଥିଲା; ରାଜେନ୍ଦ୍ର, ସେଗୁଡ଼ିକ ମହେନ୍ଦ୍ରଙ୍କ ଧ୍ୱଜଦଣ୍ଡ ପରି ଦୀପ୍ତିମାନ ଲାଗୁଥିଲା। ସେଇ ଭୟାନକ ଦୃଶ୍ୟରେ ଐଶ୍ୱର୍ୟର ଚିହ୍ନମାନେ ନିଜେ ବିନାଶର ପ୍ରତୀକ ହୋଇ, ରଣଭୂମି ଏକ ଅଦ୍ଭୁତ ଶୋଭା ପାଇଥିଲା।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the fragility of worldly splendor: ornaments, wealth, and cultivated refinement (sandal paste, armlets) cannot protect life. In war, what once signified status becomes a mute sign of destruction, urging reflection on pride, attachment, and the ethical cost of violence.
Sañjaya describes the battlefield to Dhṛtarāṣṭra: severed arms, still decorated with costly armlets and smeared with sandal paste, lie scattered on the ground. Their upright, banner-like appearance evokes a simile—like Indra’s great standards—heightening the tragic grandeur of the scene.