Shloka 506
अग्निकल्पैर्दरा धर्ष: प्रदीप्तिरिव पावकै: । 'प्रजलित अग्निके समान तेजस्वी, दुर्धर्ष एवं इन्द्रके समान पराक्रमी शकोंके साथ भी आज मैं भिड़ जाऊँगा
agnikalpair darā dharṣaḥ pradīptir iva pāvakaiḥ | prajvalita-agni-ke samāna tejasvī, durdharṣa evaṃ indra-ke samāna parākramī śakaiḥ sārdham api adya ahaṃ bhiḍāu̐gā ||
सञ्जय उवाच—अग्निकल्पैर्दुराधर्षः प्रदीप्तिरिव पावकैः। शाकैरपि समायुक्तैः क्रूरैः शक्रसमैर्बले, अद्यापि समरे युध्येयम्॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of steadfast courage: true valor is measured not by the weakness of opponents but by unwavering resolve even against formidable, ‘Indra-like’ foes. It also uses epic simile—fire imagery—to convey moral and martial intensity.
Sanjaya describes a warrior’s overwhelming, fire-like brilliance and near-invincibility, asserting that even if matched against the fierce Śakas, he would still engage in battle that very day—emphasizing the ferocity and scale of the conflict in Droṇa Parva.