Shloka 23
वारुणेन तत: कर्ण: शमयामास पावकम् | जीमूतैश्व दिश: सर्वाश्चक्रे तिमिरदुर्दिना:
vāruṇena tataḥ karṇaḥ śamayāmāsa pāvakam | jīmūtaiś ca diśaḥ sarvāś cakre timira-durdināḥ ||
サञ्जयは語った。ついでカルナは、ヴァルナの武器（ヴァールナ・アストラ）を放って燃えさかる火を鎮めた。さらに雨雲の群れをもって四方を覆い、白昼をも暗く陰鬱な時へと変えた――戦における神授の飛び道具の用いられ方がいよいよ激化し、力とは勇猛のみならず、アストラを制し、その結果を戦場のあらゆる生きとし生けるものに及ぼすことまで含めて量られるのだと示すのである。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how warfare in the Mahābhārata can shift from human valor to the overwhelming, impersonal force of astras. Ethical tension arises because such power affects not only the intended opponent but the entire environment—darkening the sky and altering conditions for all, reminding readers that mastery of weapons carries broad consequences.
Sañjaya reports that Karṇa counters a fire by releasing the Vāruṇa weapon, which brings water and cloud-masses. The fire is extinguished, and the battlefield’s surroundings are transformed as clouds cover all directions, producing darkness and a gloomy, ominous atmosphere.