Shloka 12
Adhyāya 61: Saṃmohana-astra and the Kuru Withdrawal (संमोहनास्त्रं तथा कुरुनिवृत्तिः)
अवसीदन्ति मे प्राणा भूरियं चलतीव च । नच प्रतोदं रश्मींश्व॒ संयन्तुं शक्तिरस्ति मे
avasīdanti me prāṇā bhūriyaṃ calatīva ca | na ca pratodaṃ raśmīṃś ca saṃyantuṃ śaktir asti me ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: „Meine Lebenskraft schwindet; die Erde selbst scheint zu beben. In diesem Augenblick fehlt mir die Stärke, Zügel und Peitsche zu halten und die Pferde unter Kontrolle zu bringen.“
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how intense fear or shock can collapse one’s practical capacity (śakti) even for routine duties; it also frames trembling of the earth as an ominous sign, reminding that inner steadiness is essential for responsible action, especially in moments that demand control and restraint.
A speaker (reported by Vaiśampāyana) describes being overwhelmed—life-forces failing and the earth seeming to shake—so that he cannot manage the reins and whip to control the horses, signaling a sudden crisis during a tense chariot-related situation.