Shloka 123
Adhyāya 35 — Bhīmasena’s Counter-Encirclement and the Karṇa Engagement Escalation
अभ्राजेतां यथा मेघं सूर्याग्नी सहितौ दिवि । जैसे आकाशमें किसी महान् मेघखण्डपर एक साथ बैठे हुए सूर्य और अग्नि प्रकाशित हो रहे हों, उसी प्रकार सूर्य और अग्निके समान तेजस्वी कर्ण और शल्य उस एक ही रथपर आरूढ़ हो बड़ी शोभा पाने लगे
abhrājetāṁ yathā meghaṁ sūryāgnī sahitau divi |
Dijo Sañjaya: “Brillaban como el sol y el fuego juntos en el cielo sobre una masa de nubes. Del mismo modo, Karṇa y Śalya—radiantes como el sol y el fuego—montaron en ese mismo carro y aparecieron con espléndido fulgor.” La imagen subraya la sombría grandeza de la guerra: poder marcial deslumbrante y alianza en un bando, pero en un conflicto donde el esplendor exterior no garantiza justicia ni un desenlace propicio.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward brilliance—power, charisma, and martial splendor—can be striking, yet it remains ethically neutral. In the Mahābhārata’s war context, such radiance can accompany adharma as easily as dharma, reminding readers to judge actions by righteousness and consequence rather than mere grandeur.
Sañjaya describes Karṇa and his charioteer Śalya seated together on a single chariot. Their combined presence is portrayed through a vivid simile: like the sun and fire shining together against a great cloud-mass in the sky, emphasizing their formidable, awe-inspiring appearance on the battlefield.