Shloka 88
विधम्य राक्षसान् बाणै: साशथ्वसूतगजान् विभु: । ददाह भगवान् वद्ठिर्भूतानीव युगक्षये,जैसे प्रलयकालमें भगवान् अग्निदेव सम्पूर्ण भूतोंको भस्म कर डालते हैं, उसी प्रकार शक्तिशाली कर्णने अपने बाणोंद्वारा घोड़े, सारथि और हाथियोंसहित उन राक्षसोंको संतप्त करके जला डाला
vidhamya rākṣasān bāṇaiḥ sāśvasūtagajān vibhuḥ | dadāha bhagavān vahniḥ bhūtānīva yugakṣaye ||
विधम्य राक्षसान् बाणैः साश्वसूतगजान् विभुः । ददाह कर्णो रणमध्ये वह्निर्भूतानीव युगक्षये ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how unchecked martial power can resemble cosmic destruction: in war, human agency can take on an impersonal, annihilating character. Ethically, it invites reflection on the catastrophic cost of conflict and the thin line between valor and devastation.
Sañjaya reports that Karṇa overwhelms rākṣasa fighters, killing them along with their mounts and crews. Their destruction is compared to Agni consuming all beings at the end of a cosmic age, emphasizing the intensity of Karṇa’s assault.