Shloka 17
दुःशासननिग्रहः—द्रोणधृष्टद्युम्नयुद्धप्रसङ्गः
Rebuke of Duḥśāsana; Context of the Droṇa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna Combat
तावन्योन्यं दृढं विद्धावन्योन्यशरपीडितौ । रेजतु: समरे राजन् पुष्पिताविव किंशुकौ,राजन! वे दोनों एक-दूसरेके बाणोंसे पीड़ित और अत्यन्त घायल हो समरांगणमें दो खिले हुए पलाशके वृक्षोंकी भाँति शोभा पाने लगे
tāv anyonyaṃ dṛḍhaṃ viddhāv anyonyaśarapīḍitau | rejatuḥ samare rājan puṣpitāv iva kiṃśukau ||
तावन्योन्यं दृढं विद्धावन्योन्यशरपीडितौ । रेजतुः समरे राजन् पुष्पिताविव किंशुकौ ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the paradox of kṣatriya warfare: even while inflicting and enduring pain, warriors may display steadfast courage and a kind of martial radiance. It invites reflection on how beauty and heroism can appear within morally fraught violence, underscoring the ethical tension inherent in dharma-bound battle.
Sañjaya describes two opposing warriors in close combat. Each has been firmly struck by the other’s arrows, yet both continue to stand and appear resplendent on the battlefield, compared to two flowering kiṃśuka (palāśa) trees.