Shloka 266
Adhyāya 21 — Duryodhanasya bāṇavarṣaḥ
Duryodhana’s Arrow-Storm and the Dust-Obscured Engagements
समपद्यत सर्वेषां सैन्यानां सुमहद् भयम् । उस द्वैरथ युद्धमें सात्यकिद्वारा वीर कृतवर्मके रथहीन हो जानेपर आपके सारे सैनिकोंके मनमें महान् भय समा गया
samapadyata sarveṣāṁ sainyānāṁ sumahad bhayam |
استولى خوف عظيم على قلوب الجيوش كلها. ففي ذلك النزال بين العربات، حين جعل ساتياكيُ الفارسَ الشجاع كريتافَرما بلا عربة، غمر الرعبُ جيشك بأسره.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a recurring ethical-psychological truth in the Mahābhārata’s war narrative: collective confidence in battle is fragile. When a celebrated warrior is suddenly disabled (made chariotless), fear spreads rapidly through the ranks, reminding that pride in force and reputation is unstable and that war magnifies human vulnerability.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that during a fierce chariot-duel, Sātyaki managed to render Kṛtavarmā chariotless. Seeing this reversal, the Kaurava troops (addressed as 'your soldiers') were struck by intense fear.