पाषाणयोधिभिननू्नं युयुधान: समागत: । तथा हि रथिन: सर्वे ह्वियन्ते विद्रुतैर्हयै:,“निश्चय ही युयुधान पाषाणयोधी योद्धाओंसे भिड़ गया है, तभी तो ये भागे हुए घोड़े सम्पूर्ण रथियोंको रणभूमिसे बाहर लिये जा रहे हैं
sañjaya uvāca |
pāṣāṇayodhibhir nūnaṃ yuyudhānaḥ samāgataḥ |
tathā hi rathinaḥ sarve hriyante vidrutair hayaiḥ ||
নিশ্চয়ই যুযুধান পাষাণ-অস্ত্রধারী যোদ্ধাদের সঙ্গে ঘনিষ্ঠ সংঘর্ষে জড়িয়েছে; তাই আতঙ্কে ছুটে যাওয়া ঘোড়াগুলি সব রথীকে যুদ্ধক্ষেত্রের বাইরে টেনে নিয়ে যাচ্ছে।
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights how the visible effects of panic in war—runaway horses dragging chariots—allow a discerning observer to infer the hidden cause: a fierce clash with a formidable opponent. It also underscores the ethical weight of steadfastness in a kṣatriya context, where one warrior’s engagement can decisively shape the field.
Sañjaya reports that Yuyudhāna (Sātyaki) has engaged the ‘stone-fighters’ in close combat. As evidence, he notes that frightened, fleeing horses are pulling chariots and their riders away from the fighting area, indicating sudden disruption and pressure on the chariot ranks.