Mahabharata — Virata Parva, Shloka 17
आचार्य-क्षमा, देśa–kāla-नīti, तथा भेद-दोषः
Teacher-Reconciliation, Timing-Policy, and the Fault of Factionalism
अमानुषाणां शब्देन भूतानां ध्वजवासिनाम् | रथस्य च निनादेन मनो मुहाृति मे भूशम्
Uttara uvāca | amānuṣāṇāṁ śabdena bhūtānāṁ dhvajavāsinām | rathasya ca ninādena mano muhūrti me bhṛśam ||
Uttara sagte: „Für einen Augenblick ist mein Geist heftig erschüttert worden — durch die unmenschlichen Schreie der Wesen, die auf dem Banner wohnen, und durch das donnernde Dröhnen des Streitwagens. Der schreckliche Klang der Muschel und das außergewöhnliche Schnarren des Bogens haben mein Herz mit Furcht und Unruhe erfüllt.“
उत्तर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how overwhelming external signs—martial sounds and ominous cries—can destabilize the mind; it implicitly contrasts fear-driven agitation with the steadiness expected of a warrior, setting up the need for guidance and courage.
Uttara, overwhelmed by the terrifying sounds associated with the chariot and the banner (and the uncanny beings said to dwell there), confesses that his mind and heart have become intensely disturbed, expressing panic on the eve of confrontation.