Shloka 61
अध्याय ८० — मध्यंदिन-रणवृत्तान्तः
Yudhiṣṭhira–Śrutāyu encounter; Cekitāna–Gautama clash; Abhimanyu pressure; Arjuna’s redeployment
न संवारयितुं शक्ता तव सेना जनाधिप । मदमूर्च्छान्वितात्मा वै प्रमदेवाध्वनि स्थिता
na saṃvārayituṃ śaktā tava senā janādhipa | mada-mūrcchānvita-ātmā vai pramadevādhvani sthitā ||
Sañjaya sprach: O Herrscher der Menschen, dein Heer vermochte sie nicht aufzuhalten. Von Rausch und Betäubung überwältigt, stand es auf dem Weg wie eine achtlose Frau—unfähig, die heranstürmenden Krieger zu hemmen. Der Vers betont: Gehen im Krieg Disziplin und Klarheit verloren, wird selbst ein großes Heer zu einem passiven Hindernis statt zu einer schützenden Macht.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
An army (or any collective) collapses in effectiveness when overcome by ‘mada’ (reckless arrogance/intoxication) and ‘mūrcchā’ (stupor/confusion). The ethical implication is that leadership and dharma in conflict require steadiness, alertness, and self-control; without these, strength becomes useless.
Sañjaya reports to the king that the Kaurava host could not restrain the advancing fighters. The army, mentally overwhelmed, stood inert in the path—likened to a stupefied, heedless woman—signaling a breakdown of order and resistance at that moment in the battle.