Shloka 31
कर्णवधार्थं धनञ्जयस्य प्रतिज्ञा — Arjuna’s resolve for Karṇa’s defeat
ततः सुपर्णा: सम्पेतुर्भक्षयन्तो भुजड़मान् । ते वै विदुद्रुवुर्नागा दृष्टयवा तान् खचरान् नृूप
tataḥ suparṇāḥ sampetur bhakṣayanto bhujaṅgamān | te vai vidudruvur nāgā dṛṣṭva tān khacarān nṛpa ||
அப்போது சுபர்ணர்கள் (காருடப் பறவைகள்) பாய்ந்து வந்து பாம்புகளை விழுங்கத் தொடங்கின. அரசே! அந்த ஆகாயச் சாரிகளைப் பார்த்த நாகங்கள் எல்லாம் அஞ்சி ஓடின.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how sudden shifts in power—symbolized by Garuḍa-like predators appearing—can dissolve pride and stability, driving even strong beings into flight. In the wider epic context, it reflects the fragility of worldly strength and the inevitability of consequences when a superior force manifests.
Sañjaya describes a vivid scene: Garuḍa-birds swoop down and begin eating the serpents; upon seeing these aerial attackers, the nāgas scatter and flee. It functions as a dramatic battlefield image and a portent-like depiction of terror and rout.