Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 34
अध्याय ३: कृपस्य दुर्योधनं प्रति नीत्युपदेशः
Kṛpa’s Counsel to Duryodhana
कृष्णसारथिमायान्तं दृष्टवा श्वेतहयं रथम् । अर्जुन चापि योद्धारं त्वदीया: प्राद्रवन् भयात्
kṛṣṇasārathim āyāntaṃ dṛṣṭvā śvetahayaṃ ratham | arjunaṃ cāpi yoddhāraṃ tvadīyāḥ prādravan bhayāt ||
Sañjaya sprach: Als sie den von weißen Pferden gezogenen Wagen herankommen sahen—mit Kṛṣṇa als Lenker—und Arjuna, den Kämpfer darauf, erblickten, flohen all deine Wagenkrieger aus Furcht.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Mere strength and numbers collapse when confronted by steadfast resolve supported by wise guidance. The verse highlights how moral confidence and inspired leadership (symbolized by Kṛṣṇa as sārathi) can shake opponents whose courage is rooted in ego or uncertainty.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that as Arjuna advances in his white-horsed chariot with Kṛṣṇa driving, the Kaurava chariot-warriors lose heart and flee, revealing panic in Duryodhana’s forces at Arjuna’s approach.
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