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Shloka 263

Śiva’s Battlefield Manifestation and Vyāsa’s Śatarudrīya Exposition (शिवप्रादुर्भावः शतरुद्रीयव्याख्यानम्)

अर्जुन योधयन्ति स्म क्षत्रिया: कालचोदिता: । वे कालप्रेरित क्षत्रिय अर्जुनपर बड़े-बड़े अस्त्रोंकी वर्षा करते हुए उनके साथ युद्ध करने लगे

arjunaṃ yodhayanti sma kṣatriyāḥ kālacoditāḥ |

قال سنجيا: مدفوعين بقهر «كالا»—الزمن—اندفع محاربو الكشاتريا على أرجونا واشتبكوا معه، يمطرونه بوابلٍ من المقاذيف العظيمة؛ صورةٌ لحربٍ تُساق فيها إرادة البشر إلى زخمٍ أوسع، قدريّ، نحو الهلاك.

अर्जुनम्Arjuna (as the object)
अर्जुनम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootअर्जुन
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
योधयन्तिwere causing to fight / were fighting (against)
योधयन्ति:
TypeVerb
Rootयुध् (योधयति, causative)
FormImperfect (Laṅ), Third, Plural, Parasmaipada
स्मindeed; (particle marking past narration)
स्म:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootस्म
क्षत्रियाःthe Kshatriyas / warriors
क्षत्रियाः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootक्षत्रिय
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
कालचोदिताःimpelled by Time (fate)
कालचोदिताः:
TypeAdjective
Rootकालचोदित
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural

संजय उवाच

A
Arjuna
K
Kṣatriyas
K
Kāla (Time/Destiny)
S
Sañjaya

Educational Q&A

The verse foregrounds kāla (Time) as a compelling force behind human conflict: even mighty warriors act as if driven by destiny. Ethically, it frames the battle as not merely personal hostility but part of a larger, inexorable unfolding—inviting reflection on agency, responsibility, and the tragic momentum of war.

Sañjaya reports that kṣatriya fighters, stirred by the force of Time, close in on Arjuna and engage him, attacking with powerful weapons and missiles as the battle intensifies around him.