Shloka 236
Sātyaki-praveśaḥ and Duryodhana-saṃnipātaḥ
Sātyaki’s passage and Duryodhana’s mass engagement
अन्योन्यमभ्यविध्येतां जीवितान्तकरै: शरै: । सारे अंगोंसे रक्तकी धारा बहनेके कारण वे दोनों वीर मदवर्षी गजराजोंके समान जान पड़ते थे। वे एक-दूसरेको प्राणान्तकारी बाणोंसे बेध रहे थे
anyonyam abhyavidhyetāṁ jīvitāntakaraiḥ śaraiḥ |
सञ्जय उवाच—अन्योन्यमभ्यविध्येतां जीवितान्तकरैः शरैः; सर्वाङ्गेभ्यः स्रवद्रुधिरधाराभ्यां तौ मदवर्षिणौ गजराजाविव बभूवतुः, परस्परं प्राणान्तकैर्बाणैर्व्यध्नताम्।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the grim ethical tension of kṣatriya warfare: valor and steadfastness are praised, yet the imagery of fatal arrows and flowing blood highlights the terrible cost of violence and the nearness of death in righteous conflict.
Sañjaya describes two opposing heroes in close combat, mutually wounding each other with deadly arrows. Their blood-soaked bodies make them resemble rut-intoxicated elephants battling fiercely.