Shloka 78
भवन्ति पुरुषव्याप्र नाविका: कालपर्यये । तथा कर्ण समासाद्य तावका: पुरुषर्षभ
bhavanti puruṣavyāprā nāvikāḥ kālaparyaye | tathā karṇa samāsādya tāvakāḥ puruṣarṣabha ||
Sañjaya dit : «Quand le temps prend un tournant décisif, les bateliers deviennent d’une ardeur et d’une vigilance extrêmes. De même, ô Karṇa, taureau parmi les hommes, dès qu’ils eurent rencontré Karṇa, tes guerriers bondirent eux aussi dans une action pleine de vigueur.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
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.