Shloka 3
अथ ते तमसा ग्रस्ता निहन्यन्ते सम दानवै: । देवा नृपतिशार्दूल सहैव बलिभिस्तदा,नृपश्रेष्ठ॒ फिर तो अन्धकारमें फँसे हुए देवतालोग कुछ सूझ न पड़नेके कारण एक साथ ही बलवान दानवोंके हाथसे मारे जाने लगे
atha te tamasā grastā nihanyante sama-dānavaiḥ | devā nṛpatiśārdūla sahaiva balibhis tadā ||
Kemudian para dewa, ditelan kegelapan hingga penglihatan mereka kabur—wahai harimau di antara raja-raja—pada ketika itu dibunuh beramai-ramai oleh kaum Dānava yang perkasa.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that when beings are overcome by tamas—darkness, confusion, or ignorance—they lose discernment and become vulnerable; power and status do not protect one who cannot see rightly. Ethically, it implies the necessity of clarity, vigilance, and right understanding in the exercise of strength and in confronting adversity.
Bhīṣma describes a moment when the gods are engulfed in darkness and, unable to perceive properly, are collectively struck down by powerful Dānavas. He addresses the listener as 'tiger among kings,' framing the episode as an instructive example for royal conduct and moral reflection.