Shloka 22
द्रोणकर्णयोः निशि संप्रहारः — Night Engagement with Droṇa and Karṇa
“मैं, दःशासन तथा अभश्वत्थामा जिनकी रक्षा कर रहे हैं, उन सिंधुराज जयद्रथको अर्जुन कैसे प्राप्त कर सकेंगे? जान पड़ता है कि वे कालसे प्रेरित हो रहे हैं ।। युध्यन्ते बहव: शूरा लम्बते च दिवाकर: । शड़्के जयद्रथं पार्थो नैव प्राप्स्यति मानद,“मानद! बहुत-से शूरवीर युद्ध कर रहे हैं, उधर सूर्य भी अस्ताचलपर जा रहे हैं। अतः मुझे संदेह यह होता है कि अर्जुन जयद्रथतक नहीं पहुँच पायेंगे
sañjaya uvāca |
yudhyante bahavaḥ śūrā lambate ca divākaraḥ |
śaṅke jayadrathaṃ pārtho naiva prāpsyati mānada ||
Sañjaya said: “Many valiant warriors are still locked in battle, and the sun is already sinking toward the horizon. Therefore I fear that Pārtha (Arjuna), despite his resolve, will not be able to reach Jayadratha in time.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how dharma-bound vows in war are tested by time, opposition, and uncertainty: even a righteous resolve can face near-impossible obstacles, and the pressure of impending sunset turns the battlefield into a moral crucible of honor, consequence, and perseverance.
On the day Arjuna has vowed to kill Jayadratha before sunset, Sañjaya observes that fierce fighting continues and the sun is setting. He fears Arjuna will not reach Jayadratha in time, implying that the Kaurava defense and the dwindling daylight may thwart Arjuna’s objective.