Shloka 363
भूतान्तकमिवायान्तं कालदण्डोग्रधारिणम् । भयानक कालदण्ड धारण किये, समस्त भूतोंके प्राणहन्ता यमराजके समान उसे विशाल धनुष उठाये आते देख वहाँ उपस्थित हुए वे सभी नरेश व्यथित हो उठे
bhūtāntakam ivāyāntaṃ kāladaṇḍogradhāriṇam | bhayānaka-kāladaṇḍaṃ dhārayitvā samasta-bhūtānāṃ prāṇahantā yamarāja-samam enaṃ viśāla-dhanuṣam utthāya āyāntaṃ dṛṣṭvā tatra upasthitāḥ sarve nṛpā vyathitā babhūvuḥ |
भूतान्तकमिवायान्तं कालदण्डोग्रधारिणम्। महाधनुरुद्यतं दृष्ट्वा तं यममिव प्राणहारिणं तत्रोपस्थिताः सर्वे नरेशा व्यथिताः।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the Mahābhārata’s recurring ethical vision that war unleashes forces resembling Kāla (Time) and Yama (Death): once violence is set in motion, even mighty rulers feel the helplessness of mortals before inevitability. It cautions against pride and highlights the moral weight of actions that summon destruction.
Sañjaya describes a formidable warrior approaching with a great bow, portrayed metaphorically as Yama or the ‘ender of beings’ carrying the staff of Time. The assembled kings, witnessing this ominous advance, become agitated and fearful, sensing imminent slaughter.