Shloka 11
भीष्मवधोपाय-प्रश्नः (Inquiry into the means to overcome Bhīṣma) | Chapter 103
न चैनं तावका राजन् विषेहुररिघातिनम् | प्रदीप्तं पावक॑ यद्धत् पतड़ा: कालचोदिता:
na cainaṃ tāvakā rājan viṣehuḥ arighātinam | pradīptaṃ pāvakaṃ yathā pataṅgāḥ kālacoditāḥ ||
ಸಂಜಯನು ಹೇಳಿದನು—ಓ ರಾಜನೇ! ಶತ್ರುಘಾತಿ ಅಭಿಮನ್ಯುವಿನ ವೇಗವನ್ನು ನಿನ್ನ ಯೋಧರು ಸಹಿಸಲಿಲ್ಲ—ಕಾಲದಿಂದ ಪ್ರೇರಿತವಾದ ಪತಂಗಗಳು ಪ್ರಜ್ವಲಿತ ಅಗ್ನಿಯನ್ನು ಸಹಿಸಲಾರದಂತೆ।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the overwhelming force of a dharmic hero in battle and underscores the role of kāla (Time/Fate): when destiny ripens, even many cannot withstand one blazing power—like moths drawn helplessly to fire.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Kaurava soldiers failed to endure Abhimanyu’s assault; they were scattered and destroyed, compared to moths perishing in a blazing flame.