Shloka 173
Droṇa Encircled at Night: Coalition Advance and Battlefield Omens (द्रोणपर्यावरणं रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)
विबभौ सर्वतः श्लिष्टं सविद्युदिव तोयद: । उनका काले लोहेका बना हुआ सुवर्णजटित बहुमूल्य कवच उनके सारे अंगोंमें सटकर बिजलीसहित मेघके समान सुशोभित हो रहा था
vibabhau sarvataḥ śliṣṭaṃ savidyud iva toyadaḥ |
सञ्जय उवाच—विबभौ सर्वतः श्लिष्टं सविद्युदिव तोयदः। तस्य कालेन लोहena कृतं सुवर्णजटितं बहुमूल्यं कवचं सर्वाङ्गेषु श्लिष्टं विद्युत्सहित इव मेघः समन्तात् शुशुभे।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses a vivid simile—armour shining like a lightning-lit cloud—to highlight how martial power and splendour can appear awe-inspiring, yet remain bound to the ethical gravity of warfare and the responsibilities of kṣatriya-dharma.
Sañjaya describes a warrior’s close-fitting, radiant armour, emphasizing his striking battlefield appearance through the comparison to a thundercloud streaked with lightning.