Shloka 34
भीष्मस्य मण्डलव्यूहः — Bhīṣma’s Maṇḍala Battle-Formation and the Opening Engagements
जब सूर्य अस्ताचलके पास पहुँचकर लाल होने लगे, उस समय अर्जुनने बड़ी उतावलीके साथ बाण-वर्षा करके पचीस हजार महारथियोंको मार डाला ।।
te hi duryodhanādiṣṭās tadā pārthanibarhaṇe | samprāpyaiva gatā nāśaṃ śalabhā iva pāvakam ||
Sañjaya said: Those warriors, commanded by Duryodhana to bring about Pārtha’s (Arjuna’s) destruction, rushed into the encounter only to meet their own ruin—like moths flying into a flame.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Aggression driven by pride and blind obedience, especially when aimed at unjust destruction, becomes self-destructive. The moth-and-flame simile teaches that reckless hostility toward a superior or righteous force leads to inevitable ruin.
Sañjaya reports that warriors sent by Duryodhana with the mission of killing Arjuna (Pārtha) approach him in battle, but instead of succeeding they are annihilated—likened to moths perishing as they fly into fire.