Shloka 23
वारुणेन तत: कर्ण: शमयामास पावकम् | जीमूतैश्व दिश: सर्वाश्चक्रे तिमिरदुर्दिना:,परंतु कर्णने वारुणास्त्रका प्रयोग करके उस अग्निको बुझा दिया। साथ ही सम्पूर्ण दिशाओंमें मेघोंकी घटा घिर आयी और सब ओर अन्धकार छा गया
vāruṇena tataḥ karṇaḥ śamayāmāsa pāvakam | jīmūtaiś ca diśaḥ sarvāś cakre timira-durdināḥ ||
Sañjaya disse: Então Karṇa, ao empregar a arma de Varuṇa (Vāruṇa-astra), extinguiu o fogo ardente. E, com massas de nuvens de chuva, cobriu todas as direções, convertendo o dia num tempo escuro e carregado de melancolia—um sinal da escalada no uso de mísseis divinos na guerra, em que o poder se mede não só pelo valor, mas pelo domínio dos astras e pelas consequências que trazem a todos os seres no campo de batalha.
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.