Shloka 25
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 58 — Arjuna’s Arrow-Storm and Relief of Bhīmasena
स ज्ञात्वा समरे55त्मानं शस्त्रेणावध्यमेव तु । जवेनाभ्याययौ द्रौणिं काल: कालमिव क्षये
sa jñātvā samare ’tmānaṃ śastreṇāvadhyam eva tu | javena abhyāyayau drauṇiṃ kālaḥ kālam iva kṣaye ||
Sachant qu’au combat il était invulnérable aux armes, il fondit sur Drauṇi avec une vitesse prodigieuse, tel le Temps, à l’heure de la dissolution, s’abattant sur le Temps lui-même.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the epic idea of Kāla (Time/Death) as an overwhelming force: when a warrior believes himself protected from ordinary weapons, his confidence turns into irresistible momentum, yet the imagery reminds us that all martial power ultimately stands under the shadow of Time and dissolution.
Sañjaya describes a warrior—considering himself unkillable by weapons—charging at Drauṇi (Aśvatthāmā) with tremendous speed. The charge is compared to personified Time rushing upon Time at the end of the world, emphasizing ferocity and the catastrophic intensity of the encounter.