Shloka 20
दुःशासनवधः (Duḥśāsana-vadha) — Bhīma’s vow-fulfillment in combat
Devanagari script
रक्तचन्दनसंदिग्धौ मणिहेमविभूषितौ
Transliteration
raktacandanasandigdhau maṇihemavibhūṣitau
Translation
三阇耶说道：“身涂赤檀香膏，饰以珠宝黄金……”此句勾勒出战士与甲胄在战场上近乎仪式般的华彩。
Word by Word
रक्तचन्दनसंदिग्धौsmeared with red sandal(-paste)
रक्तचन्दनसंदिग्धौ:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootरक्तचन्दनसंदिग्ध
FormMasculine, Nominative, Dual
मणिहेमविभूषितौadorned with gems and gold
मणिहेमविभूषितौ:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootमणिहेमविभूषित
FormMasculine, Nominative, Dual
Speaker
संजय उवाच
Characters & Entities
R
red sandalwood (raktacandana)J
jewels (maṇi)G
gold (hema)Character Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
War Context
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Geographic Context
Meter (Chandas)
Sandhi Notes
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the contrast between outward magnificence (anointing, jewels, gold) and the inner gravity of dharma in war: martial honor and display cannot erase the moral weight and suffering inherent in battle.
Sañjaya is describing a pair (dual form) of figures or objects—likely warriors or their equipment—depicted as anointed with red sandalwood and richly ornamented with jewels and gold, emphasizing their regal, heroic appearance within the ongoing combat scene.