Shloka 25
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 58 — Arjuna’s Arrow-Storm and Relief of Bhīmasena
स ज्ञात्वा समरे55त्मानं शस्त्रेणावध्यमेव तु । जवेनाभ्याययौ द्रौणिं काल: कालमिव क्षये,वे अपने-आपको समरभूमिमें शस्त्रद्वारा अवध्य मानकर बड़े वेगसे अश्वत्थामाके सामने आये, मानो प्रलयके समय काल ही कालपर टूट पड़ा हो
sa jñātvā samare ’tmānaṃ śastreṇāvadhyam eva tu | javena abhyāyayau drauṇiṃ kālaḥ kālam iva kṣaye ||
Sañjaya said: Knowing himself to be invulnerable to weapons on the battlefield, he rushed at Drauṇi (Aśvatthāmā) with great speed—like Time itself, at the hour of dissolution, crashing upon Time.
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.