Shloka 14
Book 9 (Śalya-parva), Adhyāya 13 — Arjuna’s Arrow-storm and the Drauṇi Confrontation
सुस्त्राव रुधिरं गात्रैगैरिकं पर्वतो यथा । महाराज! उन महारथियोंद्वारा अत्यन्त घायल कर दिये जानेपर राजा शल्य अपने अंगोंसे रक्तकी धारा बहाने लगे, मानो पर्वत गेरु-मिश्रित जलका झरना बहा रहा हो ।। १३ * तांश्व॒ सर्वान् महेष्वासान् पञ्चभि: पञ्चभि: शरै:
su-strāva rudhiraṃ gātrair gaerikaṃ parvato yathā | mahārāja! un mahārathībhir atyantaṃ ghālayitvā rājā śalyaḥ svāṅgair rudhira-dhārāḥ prasrāvayām āsa, yathā parvataḥ gaerika-miśrita-jalaṃ jharam iva muñcati ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: “O dakilang hari, nang sugatan siya nang labis ng mga makapangyarihang mandirigmang nakasakay sa karwahe, si Haring Śalya ay nagpaagos ng mga batis ng dugo mula sa kanyang mga sangkap—na wari’y bundok na nagbubuga ng talon ng tubig na may bahid na pulang okra.” Ipinapakita ng larawang ito ang malupit na halaga ng digmaan: hindi panangga ang giting at ranggo laban sa pinsalang dinaranas ng katawan, at sa larangan ng labanan, maging ang hari ay nagiging laman na nagdurusa.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the stark reality of war: even the greatest warriors and kings are subject to pain and bodily ruin. The ethical undertone is a sobering reminder that martial glory is inseparable from suffering and loss, urging reflection on the human cost behind kṣatriya valor.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that King Śalya has been severely wounded by powerful chariot-warriors. Blood streams from Śalya’s limbs, compared poetically to a mountain sending down a reddish, ochre-tinted cascade.