Shloka 21
भीष्म-पर्व अध्याय १०० — त्रिगर्त-आक्रमण, भीष्म-केन्द्रित पुनर्संयोजन, तथा शक्त्यस्त्र-विनिमय
उसने शिरीषपुष्प एवं सुवर्णके समान पीतवर्णका बहुमूल्य सुगन्धित चन्दन लगा रखा था
sa śirīṣapuṣpasuvarṇakasamaṃ pītavarṇaṃ bahumūlyaṃ sugandhi candanaṃ liptaḥ
Карна сказал, что он был умащён благовонной сандаловой пастой — дорогой, золотисто-жёлтой, как золото, и нежной, как цветок шириши (śirīṣa), — знаком утончённого великолепия.
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The line highlights how external signs of refinement—perfume, costly adornment, and golden radiance—can accompany a life entangled in conflict; it invites reflection on the difference between outward prestige and inner dharma, especially in a war setting.
In Karna’s speech, a person is described as being anointed with expensive, fragrant sandalwood paste, golden-yellow like the śirīṣa blossom—an image used to convey noble appearance and elevated status amid the unfolding martial narrative.