Mahabharata 7.16.49 — Drona Parva, Adhyaya 16, Shloka 49
Adhyāya 16: Saṃśaptaka-vrata and the Diversion of Arjuna (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय १६)
सूर्ये चास्तमनुप्राप्ते तमसा चाभिसंवृते । नाज्ञायत तदा शत्रुर्न सुह्न्न च कश्चन,सूर्यदेव अस्ताचलको चले गये, सम्पूर्ण जगत् अन्धकारसे व्याप्त हो गया, उस समय न कोई शत्रु पहचाना जाता था न मित्र
sūrye cāstam anuprāpte tamasā cābhisaṃvṛte | nājñāyata tadā śatrur na suhṛn na kaścana ||
সূৰ্য অস্ত গৈ অন্ধকাৰ চাৰিওফালে বিয়পি পৰোঁতে, তেতিয়া কাকো চিনিব নোৱাৰিলে—না শত্ৰু, না মিত্ৰ।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how loss of clarity—here symbolized by nightfall—can erase distinctions that guide right action. In ethical terms, when discernment is obscured, one must be cautious, because even the basic categories of ‘friend’ and ‘enemy’ may become uncertain.
As the sun sets and darkness covers the field, visibility collapses during the battle. Sañjaya reports that in the ensuing gloom no one can be clearly identified as ally or opponent, indicating a moment of disarray and heightened danger.
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