Shloka 23
द्रोणपर्व — पञ्चदशोऽध्यायः (Droṇa Parva, Chapter 15): युधिष्ठिर-रक्षा तथा अर्जुनस्य शरवृष्टिः
ततो गदाग्राभिहतौ क्षणेन रुधिरोक्षितौ | ददृशाते महात्मानौ किंशुकाविव पुष्पितौ
tato gadāgrābhihatau kṣaṇena rudhirokṣitau | dadṛśāte mahātmānau kiṃśukāv iva puṣpitau ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: Pagkaraan, sa isang kisapmata, nang tamaan ng unahang bahagi ng pamalo, ang dalawang dakilang mandirigmang marangal ay nakita na basang-basa sa dugo, na wari’y dalawang punong kiṃśuka (palāśa) na namumulaklak nang sagana. Ipinapakita ng taludtod ang malagim na kabalintunaan ng digmaan: ang mukhang “pamumulaklak” na ganda ay sa katotohanan ang matingkad na pula ng dugong dumanak.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral tension of warfare: the battlefield can aestheticize violence through poetic imagery (blood-red like blossoms), yet the underlying reality is injury and suffering. It cautions against confusing outward splendor of valor with the ethical cost of harm.
Two eminent warriors are struck by the tip/forepart of a mace and, in a moment, become covered in blood. Observers see them as resembling two kiṃśuka (palāśa) trees in bloom because of the vivid red coloration.