Shloka 6
Adhyāya 8: Saṃprahāra-varṇana and Bhīma–Kṣemadhūrti Dvipa-Yuddha
Combat Description and Elephant Duel
महीवियद्दिगम्बूनां सर्वनाशमिवाद्धुतम् । कर्मणोरिव वैफल्यमुभयो: पुण्यपापयो:
mahīviyaddigambūnāṃ sarvanāśam ivādbhūtam | karmaṇor iva vaiphalyam ubhayoḥ puṇyapāpayoḥ ||
ବୈଶମ୍ପାୟନ କହିଲେ—ହେ ରାଜନ୍! ଏହା ପୃଥିବୀ, ଆକାଶ, ଦିଗମାନ ଓ ଜଳର ସର୍ବନାଶ ପରି ଅଦ୍ଭୁତ ଲାଗିଲା; ଯେପରି ପୁଣ୍ୟ ଓ ପାପ—ଦୁହିଁ କର୍ମର ଫଳ ନିଷ୍ଫଳ ହୋଇଗଲା।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses cosmic-collapse imagery to express how shocking certain events feel when they seem to contradict one’s sense of moral causality (karma-phala). It highlights human bewilderment when the expected linkage between deeds (puṇya/pāpa) and outcomes appears to fail, especially amid the chaos of war.
Vaiśaṃpāyana describes the news of Karṇa’s fall as so unbelievable that it resembles imagining the destruction of the world-elements or the fruitlessness of both merit and sin. The simile prepares the emotional ground for Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s shock and despair at the unraveling of the Kaurava cause.