Shloka 176
Adhyāya 104 — Śikhaṇḍin-puraskāraḥ (Śikhaṇḍin as Vanguard) and Bhīṣma’s Counter-Advance
विबभौ राक्षसश्रेष्ठ: सज्वाल इव पर्वत: | सुवर्णमय पंखसे युक्त उन बाणोंको अपने अंगोंमें धारण किये महाबली राक्षसश्रेष्ठ अलम्बुष अग्निकी ज्वालाओंसे युक्त पर्वतकी भाँति शोभा पा रहा था
sañjaya uvāca | vibabhau rākṣasaśreṣṭhaḥ sajvāla iva parvataḥ | suvarṇamaya-paṅkha-saiḥ yuktaṃ bāṇān svāṅgeṣu dhārayitvā mahābalī rākṣasaśreṣṭho ’lambuṣo ’gni-jvālā-yukta-parvata iva śobhāṃ prāpa |
三阇耶说道：罗刹之最的阿蓝布沙光辉夺目，宛如烈焰缠绕的高山。那一支支装着金翼的箭矢钉在他自身肢体之上，这位大力罗刹仍显得灿然如燃烧的峰巅。此景凸显战争可怖的华彩：纵然负伤，强者仍能令人震骇；然而那光芒与暴烈与苦痛，终究不可分离。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the paradox of battlefield glory: a warrior may appear radiant and formidable even while pierced by arrows, but that splendor is born from conflict. It invites reflection on the ethical cost of war—power and brilliance are shown alongside injury and destruction.
Sanjaya describes Alambuṣa, a mighty rākṣasa fighter, who—though struck and carrying arrows in his body—still looks dazzling. The poet uses a simile: he resembles a mountain blazing with fire, emphasizing his terrifying presence in the battle.