Shloka 34
भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय ९६: सौभद्रस्य आक्रमणम्, अलम्बुसस्य प्रतिविधानम्
Abhimanyu’s assault; Alambusa’s counter-engagement
ते जातरुधिरोत्पीडा: पताकाभिरलंकृता: । संसक्ता: प्रत्यदृश्यन्त मेघा इव सविद्युत:,उस समय उनके मस्तकसे रक्तकी धारा बहने लगती थी। परस्पर भिड़े हुए वे हाथी पताकाओंसे अलंकृत होनेके कारण विद्युत्सहित मेघोंके समान दिखायी देते थे
te jātarudhirotpīḍāḥ patākābhir alaṅkṛtāḥ | saṃsaktāḥ pratyadṛśyanta meghā iva savidyutaḥ ||
Sañjaya nói: Khi đầu voi bị ép chặt và bị đánh mạnh, dòng máu bắt đầu tuôn chảy. Quấn chặt trong thế giáp chiến, lại được điểm tô bằng những lá cờ phấp phới, chúng trông như mây giông có chớp lóe.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse does not preach directly; it uses a powerful simile to reveal the paradox of war: outward splendor (banners, heroic spectacle) coexists with inner horror (blood and crushing impact). It invites ethical reflection on the cost of kṣatriya warfare even when performed as duty.
Sañjaya describes elephants in the thick of combat. Their heads are struck and pressed so that blood flows, and because they are tightly engaged and decorated with banners, they look like storm-clouds lit by lightning.