Shloka 27
अर्जुनस्य गुरुधर्मविलापः तथा शैनेयकर्णयोर्युद्धारम्भः | Arjuna’s Lament on Guru-Dharma and the Opening of the Sātyaki–Karṇa Duel
सम्भ्रान्तनरनागाश्चवमावर्तत मुहुर्मुहु: । तत् सैन्यमिषुभिस्तेन वध्यमानं समन्ततः,सात्यकिके बाणोंद्वारा सब ओरसे मारी जाती हुई आपकी सेनाके पैदल, हाथी और घोड़े सभी घबरा गये और बारंबार चक्कर काटने लगे
sambhrāntanaranāgāś ca vamāvartata muhur muhuḥ | tat sainyam iṣubhis tena vadhyamānaṃ samantataḥ ||
Sañjaya sprach: „Von Panik ergriffen, wirbelten die Fußsoldaten und die Elefanten (und das übrige Heer) immer wieder umher. Von allen Seiten bedrängt und von seinen Pfeilen niedergemäht, geriet dein Heer in Verwirrung und kreiste hilflos unter Sātyakis Angriff.“
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a recurring ethical reality of war in the Mahābhārata: when violence escalates, even a large force can lose composure and dharmic steadiness. Martial skill (here Sātyaki’s archery) affects not only bodies but also morale, showing how fear and confusion spread and undermine disciplined conduct.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Sātyaki is striking the Kaurava host from all sides with arrows. Under this pressure, the troops—especially infantry and war-elephants—become terrified and repeatedly wheel around, unable to hold formation.