Shloka 25
Vāraṇāvata-praveśa and Jatugṛha-saṃdeha
Entry into Vāraṇāvata and Suspicion of the Lac-House
केचिच्छराक्षेपभयाच्छिरांस्यवननामिरे । मनुजा धृष्टमपरे वीक्षाज्चक्रु: सुविस्मिता:,कितने ही मनुष्य बाण लग जानेके डरसे अपना मस्तक झुका देते थे। दूसरे लोग अत्यन्त विस्मित होकर बिना किसी भयके सब कुछ देखते थे
Dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca | kecic charākṣepa-bhayāc chirāṃsy avanamire | manujā dhṛṣṭam apare vīkṣāṃ cakruḥ suvismitāḥ ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra sprach: Manche Menschen senkten aus Furcht vor dem Flug und dem Einschlag der Pfeile den Kopf. Andere, kühn und unerschüttert, sahen dem Schauspiel mit großem Staunen zu.
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights contrasting human responses to danger: fear makes some shrink and avert themselves, while courage (or steadiness) enables others to face events directly. Ethically, it points to the value of composure and bravery when confronted with threat.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra describes a scene where arrows are being cast or are flying about; some people duck and lower their heads in fear, while others remain bold and watch attentively, amazed at what they are witnessing.