Shloka 25
जतुगृहदाहः — The Burning of the Lac House and the Pāṇḍavas’ Concealed Escape
मेघच्छायोपगूढस्तु ततो5दृश्यत फाल्गुन: । सूर्यातपपरिक्षिप्त: कर्णोडपि समदृश्यत,तब अर्जुन मेघकी छायामें छिपे हुए दिखायी देने लगे और कर्ण भी सूर्यकी प्रभासे प्रकाशित दीखने लगा
meghacchāyopagūḍhas tu tato 'dṛśyata phālgunaḥ | sūryātapaparikṣiptaḥ karṇo 'pi samadṛśyata ||
Alors on vit Phālguna (Arjuna) dissimulé sous l’ombre d’un nuage, tandis que Karṇa apparaissait lui aussi, cerclé et rendu éclatant par la chaleur et l’éblouissement du soleil. La scène oppose le voilement et la mise à nu, suggérant que les circonstances et l’élan intérieur peuvent tour à tour cacher ou révéler la présence et l’intention d’un guerrier.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how visibility and concealment depend on conditions: one figure is veiled by cloud-shadow, another revealed by sunlight. Ethically, it can be read as a reminder that reputation, advantage, and vulnerability shift with circumstance, yet a warrior’s resolve must remain steady.
Vaiśampāyana describes a moment where Arjuna (Phālguna) is seen hidden under a cloud’s shade, while Karṇa is seen clearly, illuminated and encircled by the sun’s heat and brilliance—setting a visual contrast between the two rivals.