Shloka 53
भीष्मवधोपाय-प्रश्नः (Inquiry into the means to overcome Bhīṣma) | Chapter 103
परस्परमवेक्षेतां कालानलसमौ युधि । तयो: समागमो घोरो बभूव कटुकोदय:
parasparam avekṣetāṃ kālānalasamau yudhi | tayoḥ samāgamo ghoro babhūva kaṭukodayaḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Di tengah-tengah medan perang, kedua-duanya saling memandang, bagaikan Maut dan api Kālānala yang melahap segala-galanya. Pertemuan mereka menggerunkan, bangkit laksana titik perubahan yang pahit dan membawa alamat buruk—meramalkan akibat yang keras, lahir daripada amarah keganasan perang.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how war magnifies destructive forces: when great opponents meet, the encounter can resemble impersonal powers like Death and Fire, reminding readers that violence invites harsh, bitter outcomes beyond personal rivalry.
Sañjaya describes two formidable combatants facing each other on the battlefield, exchanging intense looks before clashing; their confrontation is portrayed as terrifying and portentous, signaling a severe and painful escalation in the war.