Shloka 24
धृतराष्ट्र–संजय संवादः: कर्ण–घटोत्कचयोर्निशायुद्धवर्णनम्
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Sañjaya Dialogue: Description of the Night Engagement of Karṇa and Ghaṭotkaca
मन्दरश्मि: सहस्रांशुरस्तं गिरिमुपाद्रवत् । उस महाभयानक तुमुल संग्रामके छिड़ जानेपर मन्द किरणोंवाले भगवान् सूर्यदेव अस्ताचलको चले गये ।। ततो राजन् हृषीकेश: संग्रामशिरसि स्थितम्
mandaraśmiḥ sahasrāṃśur astaṃ girim upādravat | tasmin mahābhayānake tumule saṅgrāme chinne mandakiraṇo bhagavān sūryadevo 'stācalaṃ jagāma || tato rājan hṛṣīkeśaḥ saṅgrāmaśirasi sthitam |
Sañjaya said: When that dreadfully terrifying and tumultuous battle had broken out, the thousand-rayed Sun—now casting gentler beams—hastened toward the mountain of setting, the western horizon. Then, O King, Hṛṣīkeśa (Kṛṣṇa), standing at the very forefront of the battle…
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames the battle within cosmic order: even amid human violence and moral crisis, time moves inexorably (the sun sets). This underscores impermanence and the ethical urgency of action—choices made in war are judged against dharma, while nature’s rhythm remains impartial.
Sañjaya describes the onset of a terrifying, chaotic battle as evening approaches; the sun, now with softened rays, moves toward setting in the west. The narration then turns to Hṛṣīkeśa (Kṛṣṇa) positioned at the battle’s forefront, preparing the next action in the scene.