Shloka 21
अध्याय ९ — दुर्योधनस्य अन्त्यावस्था, विलापः, तथा सौप्तिक-प्रतिवृत्तम्
Duryodhana’s Final Condition, Lamentation, and the Night’s Report
कालो नूनं महाराज लोके5स्मिन् बलवत्तर: । पश्यामो निहतं त्वां च भीमसेनेन संयुगे,“महाराज! निश्चय ही इस संसारमें समय महाबलवान् है, तभी तो युद्धस्थलमें हम आपको भीमसेनके द्वारा मारा गया देखते हैं
kālo nūnaṃ mahārāja loke 'smin balavattaraḥ | paśyāmo nihataṃ tvāṃ ca bhīmasenena saṃyuge ||
Sañjaya said: “O King, in this world Time is surely the stronger power. For we behold even you struck down by Bhīmasena in the clash of battle.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights Kāla (Time) as the supreme power in worldly life: even the mighty and royal are not beyond its reach. In the Mahābhārata’s ethical frame, this serves as a sobering reminder of impermanence and the limits of pride, power, and control—especially amid the destructive momentum of war.
Sañjaya addresses the king (Dhṛtarāṣṭra), remarking that Time must be extraordinarily powerful, since they witness the king’s side suffering decisive blows—here expressed as seeing ‘you’ slain by Bhīmasena in battle. The statement functions as lament and moral commentary on the unfolding calamity.