Shloka 47
Kubera’s Arrival and the Disclosure of Agastya’s Curse
Vaiśaṃpāyana–Janamejaya Narrative
एवमुक्तस्तु भीमेन राक्षस: कालचोदित: । भीत उत्सृज्य तान् सर्वान् युद्धाय समुपस्थित:,भीमसेनके ऐसा कहनेपर वह राक्षस भयभीत हो उन सबको छोड़कर कालकी प्रेरणासे युद्धके लिये उद्यत हो गया
evam uktas tu bhīmena rākṣasaḥ kālacoditaḥ | bhīta utsṛjya tān sarvān yuddhāya samupasthitaḥ ||
So von Bhīma angesprochen, geriet der Rākṣasa—vom Kāla (Schicksal) angetrieben—in Furcht; er ließ sie alle frei und trat vor, kampfbereit.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Mahābhārata theme of Kāla (Time/fate) as a compelling force: even when a moment of restraint occurs (releasing the captives), fear and destiny can still propel beings toward violence. Ethically, it suggests that inner states (bhaya) and larger inevitabilities (kāla) shape action, so vigilance and self-mastery are crucial.
After Bhīma speaks to him, the rākṣasa becomes frightened, lets the captives go, and then—driven by Kāla—comes forward prepared to fight Bhīma.