Shloka 17
द्रौणिप्रतिज्ञा–नारायणास्त्रवर्णनम्
Drauṇi’s Vow and the Description of the Nārāyaṇāstra
रुक्मपुड्खीै: प्रसन्नाग्रै: शरैश्छिन्नतनुच्छदौ । रुधिरीघपरिक्लिन्नौ व्यभ्राजेतां महामृथे,सोनेके पंख और स्वच्छ धारवाले बाणोंसे उस महासमरमें दोनोंके कवच कट गये थे और दोनों ही लहूलुहान होकर अद्भुत शोभा पा रहे थे
rukmapuṅkhaiḥ prasannāgraiḥ śaraiś chinnatanuccadau | rudhiraughapariklinnaū vyabhrājetāṃ mahāmṛdhe ||
सञ्जय उवाच—तस्मिन् महामृधे रुक्मपुङ्खैः प्रसन्नाग्रैः शरैश्छिन्नतनुच्छदौ। रुधिरौघपरिक्लिन्नौ व्यभ्राजेतां तौ वीरौ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the paradox of dharma in war: even when bodies are wounded and armor is torn, a warrior’s steadfastness in duty (kṣatriya-dharma) can appear as a severe, awe-inspiring brilliance—reminding that ethical responsibility in conflict is inseparable from the reality of suffering it entails.
Sañjaya describes two combatants in a fierce duel: their armor has been shredded by sharp, golden-fletched arrows, and though they are soaked in blood, they still ‘shine’ on the battlefield—an image emphasizing the intensity of the fight and the unbroken resolve of the fighters.