Shloka 273
Chapter 30: Formation Disruption, Competing War-Cries, and Nīla’s Fall
Droṇa-parva
अपायाज्जवनैरश्वै: शकुनि: प्राकृतो यथा । तब मायाओंका नाश हो जानेपर अर्जुनके बाणोंसे आहत एवं भयभीत होकर शकुनि अधम मनुष्योंकी भाँति तेज चलनेवाले घोड़ोंके द्वारा भाग खड़ा हुआ
sañjaya uvāca | apāyāj javanair aśvaiḥ śakuniḥ prākṛto yathā |
সঞ্জয়ে ক’লে—মায়াবোৰ নষ্ট হোৱাৰ পাছত, অৰ্জুনৰ বাণে আঘাতপ্ৰাপ্ত আৰু ভয়াতুৰ শকুনি, অধম সাধাৰণ মানুহৰ দৰে, দ্ৰুতগামী ঘোঁৰাত উঠি পলাই গ’ল।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts deceptive strategy (māyā) with steadfast courage: when cunning is exposed and fails, the deceitful lose composure and flee. Ethically, it implies that inner strength and righteous resolve endure, while adharma-based tactics collapse under pressure.
After Śakuni’s tricks are neutralized, he is wounded by Arjuna’s arrows and becomes frightened. He withdraws from the fight, escaping quickly in his chariot drawn by swift horses, likened to a low or ordinary man who runs away.