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 ||
সঞ্জয়ে ক’লে—হে ৰাজন! শত্রুঘাতী অভিমন্যুৰ বেগ তোমাৰ যোদ্ধাসকলে সহিব নোৱাৰিলে—যেনে কাল-প্ৰেৰিত পতংগ জ্বলি থকা অগ্নি সহিব নোৱাৰে।
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.