भीष्मवधोपाय-प्रश्नः (Inquiry into the means to overcome Bhīṣma) | Chapter 103
न चैनं तावका राजन् विषेहुररिघातिनम् | प्रदीप्तं पावक॑ यद्धत् पतड़ा: कालचोदिता:
na cainaṃ tāvakā rājan viṣehuḥ arighātinam | pradīptaṃ pāvakaṃ yathā pataṅgāḥ kālacoditāḥ ||
قال سنجيا: أيها الملك، لم يستطع محاربوك أن يصمدوا له—أبهيمانيو، قاتل الأعداء. وكما أن العثّ، مدفوعاً بالقدر، لا يطيق ناراً متقدة فيهلك بحرّها، كذلك غُلبت جموعك أمام هجومه العنيف.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights the overwhelming force of a dharmic hero in battle and underscores the role of kāla (Time/Fate): when destiny ripens, even many cannot withstand one blazing power—like moths drawn helplessly to fire.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Kaurava soldiers failed to endure Abhimanyu’s assault; they were scattered and destroyed, compared to moths perishing in a blazing flame.