Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 31
Vāg-yuddha and Nimitta-darśana before the Gadāyuddha
Verbal Duel and Omens
रामरावणयोश्रैव वालिसुग्रीवयोस्तथा । तथैव कालस्य समीौ मृत्योश्रैव परंतपौ
sañjaya uvāca |
rāma-rāvaṇayoś caiva vāli-sugrīvayos tathā |
tathaiva kālasya samau mṛtyoś caiva parantapau ||
قال سانجيا: أيها الملك، إن هذين البطلين، معذِّبي الأعداء، بدَوَا كأنهما نِدٌّ لراما ورافانا، وكذلك لفالي وسوغريفا؛ وعلى النحو نفسه ظهرا كأنهما الزمان ذاته والموت ذاته—صورتان لقوة لا تُقاوَم.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the epic idea that in the extremity of battle, great warriors can appear like cosmic principles—Time and Death—suggesting the inevitability of destruction and the moral gravity of warfare, where human agency operates under the shadow of fate.
Sanjaya is describing two formidable combatants to the King, emphasizing their overwhelming prowess by comparing them to famous rival pairs (Rama–Ravana, Vali–Sugriva) and to the unstoppable forces of Time and Death.
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