भवन्ति पुरुषव्याप्र नाविका: कालपर्यये । तथा कर्ण समासाद्य तावका: पुरुषर्षभ
bhavanti puruṣavyāprā nāvikāḥ kālaparyaye | tathā karṇa samāsādya tāvakāḥ puruṣarṣabha ||
Dijo Sañjaya: «En el giro crítico del tiempo, los barqueros se vuelven intensamente activos y vigilantes. Del mismo modo, oh Karṇa, toro entre los hombres, cuando dieron con Karṇa, tus guerreros también se lanzaron a la acción con vigor.»
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights how decisive moments (kāla-paryaya) awaken heightened effort: just as boatmen become most vigilant in dangerous crossings, warriors intensify their resolve when rallied around a capable leader like Karṇa.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Kaurava forces, upon reaching and aligning with Karṇa, became vigorously active—suggesting a surge of confidence and coordinated action under Karṇa’s presence.