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 ||
Sañjaya sprach: O König, jene beiden Helden, Peiniger ihrer Feinde, schienen Rāma und Rāvaṇa ebenbürtig, ebenso Vāli und Sugrīva; und gleichermaßen erschienen sie wie die Zeit selbst und wie der Tod — Gestalten unwiderstehlicher Macht.
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.