Shloka 30
भीष्मस्य मण्डलव्यूहः — Bhīṣma’s Maṇḍala Battle-Formation and the Opening Engagements
(खड्गप्रहारैः सुभृशं जघ्नतुश्च॒ परस्परम् पीडितौ खड्गघाताभ्यां स्रवद् रक्तौ क्षितौ भृशम् ।।
sañjaya uvāca |
khaḍgaprahāraiḥ subhṛśaṃ jaghnatuś ca parasparam |
pīḍitau khaḍgaghātābhyāṃ sravad raktau kṣitau bhṛśam ||
śuśubhāte mahāvīryāv ubhau samaradurjayau |
asṛgukṣitasarvāṅgau puṣpitāv iva kiṃśukau ||
tataḥ sātyakim abhyetya nistriṃśavaradhāriṇam |
bhīmasenas tvaran rājan ratham āropayat tadā ||
三阇耶说道：二人以剑相击，凶猛无比，彼此一次又一次地重创对方。为刀锋所苦，他们都在大地上倾洒出大量鲜血。四肢尽染猩红，那两位雄力绝伦、战场难以制服的勇士，竟如盛放的金焰花树——kiṃśuka（帕拉沙）——双双辉映。随后，国王啊，毗摩塞那急趋至执上等利剑的萨底耶吉身旁，当时便将他扶起，安置在自己的战车上。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the grim reality of kṣatriya warfare: valor and beauty are paradoxically described through blood and injury, while ethical emphasis falls on steadfastness in duty and comradeship—Bhīma’s swift aid to Sātyaki reflects solidarity amid the destructive demands of battle.
Two formidable warriors exchange severe sword-blows, both bleeding heavily and appearing like flowering kiṃśuka trees because their bodies are drenched in red. Immediately afterward, Bhīma rushes to Sātyaki—who holds a fine sword—and places him onto his chariot, implying protection or withdrawal to safety/advantage.