Shloka 38
भीष्मवधोपाय-प्रश्नः (Inquiry into the means to overcome Bhīṣma) | Chapter 103
वीर्यवद्धिस्ततस्तैस्तु पीडितो राक्षसोत्तम: । यथा युगक्षये घोरे चन्द्रमा: पञ्चभिरग्रहै:
vīryavaddhis tatais tu pīḍito rākṣasottamaḥ | yathā yugakṣaye ghore candramāḥ pañcabhir agrahaiḥ ||
三阇耶说道：就这样，那位罗刹中最强者被那些勇力无双的战士们围逼压迫，终于不堪其重——犹如可怖的劫末之时，明月被五个“执曜”（graha）所攫持而受其侵凌。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses a cosmic simile to show that sheer power is not absolute: when many strong forces converge, even the mightiest can be subdued. In the ethical atmosphere of war, dominance shifts quickly, reminding the listener of impermanence and the limits of individual strength.
Sañjaya describes a leading Rākṣasa being severely pressed by a group of valiant fighters. He compares the Rākṣasa’s plight to the moon being afflicted by five grahas at the terrifying end of a cosmic age, emphasizing the intensity and inevitability of the pressure.