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Shloka 263

अध्याय ३: कृपस्य दुर्योधनं प्रति नीत्युपदेशः

Kṛpa’s Counsel to Duryodhana

भीममभ्यद्रवन्‌ संख्ये पतजड़ा इव पावकम्‌ । उस समय अपने प्राणों और बन्धु-बान्धवोंका मोह छोड़कर रोष और आवेशमें भरे हुए पैदल सैनिक युद्धस्थलमें भीमसेनकी ओर उसी प्रकार दौड़े

bhīmam abhyadravan saṅkhye pataṅgā iva pāvakam |

Dijo Sañjaya: En lo más recio de la batalla, se lanzaron contra Bhīma como polillas que, por impulso ciego, se precipitan en el fuego ardiente. Entonces los infantes, arrebatados por la ira y el frenesí, dejaron de lado el apego a la vida y aun a sus parientes, y cargaron hacia Bhīmasena como insectos que se estrellan contra la llama.

भीमम्Bhima
भीमम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootभीम
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
अभ्यद्रवन्ran towards, rushed at
अभ्यद्रवन्:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootद्रु (द्रवति) / द्रव्
FormImperfect (Laṅ), Third, Plural, Parasmaipada
संख्येin battle
संख्ये:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootसंख्या
FormFeminine, Locative, Singular
पतङ्गाःmoths
पतङ्गाः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootपतङ्ग
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
इवlike, as if
इव:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootइव
पावकम्fire
पावकम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootपावक
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular

संजय उवाच

S
Sañjaya
B
Bhīma (Bhīmasena)
F
foot-soldiers (padātayaḥ, implied by the Hindi gloss)
F
fire (pāvaka)
M
moths/insects (pataṅga)

Educational Q&A

The verse warns of the self-destructive power of uncontrolled anger and battlefield frenzy: like moths rushing into fire, warriors can abandon discernment, life, and even familial bonds, turning courage into reckless ruin.

Sañjaya describes foot-soldiers in the battle charging directly at Bhīma with intense rage, comparing their headlong assault to moths plunging into a flame.