Shloka 8
Kṛtavarmā–Sātyaki Chariot Duel and Kaurava Morale Shock (कृतवर्म-सात्यकि-द्वैरथम्)
संद्राव्यमाणं तु बल॑ परेषां परीतकल्पं विबभौ समन्ततः । नैवावतस्थे समरे भृशं भयाद् विमृद्यमानं तु परस्परं तदा
saṃdrāvyamāṇaṃ tu balaṃ pareṣāṃ parītakalpaṃ vibabhau samantataḥ | naivāvatasthē samare bhṛśaṃ bhayād vimṛdyamānaṃ tu parasparaṃ tadā ||
Sañjaya sprach: Von jenem Elefanten in die Flucht gejagt, erschien das feindliche Heer, als sei es ringsum eingeschlossen. Von heftigster Furcht überwältigt, konnte es im Kampf nicht standhalten; und dann begannen die Soldaten im Gedränge einander niederzutrampeln und selbst zertreten zu werden.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Fear, when it overwhelms discipline, makes an army collapse from within: loss of steadiness (sthiti) leads to mutual harm, showing that inner control and order are as decisive in war as weapons.
Sañjaya describes the opposing force being driven into disorder—appearing encircled, unable to stand in battle due to terror, and getting crushed as soldiers collide and trample one another in the stampede.