Shloka 41
पाण्डवानां पाञ्चालगमनम्
The Pāṇḍavas’ Journey toward Pāñcāla and News of the Svayaṃvara
उस समय अस्त्र-शस्त्रोंकी भारी वर्षसे घायल होकर विश्वामित्रकी सेनाके पाँव उखड़ गये और उनके सामने ही वे सभी योद्धा भयभीत हो सब ओर भाग चले
tadā astrāśastra-vṛṣṭyā bhṛśaṃ viddhā viśvāmitrasya senā pādāḥ pracyutāḥ | tasya purata eva te sarve yoddhā bhayabhītā diśo diśaḥ prādravan |
Then, struck hard by a dense rain of missiles and weapons, Viśvāmitra’s army lost its footing and broke formation. Right before his eyes, all those warriors—seized by fear—fled in every direction.
गन्धर्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights a moral-psychological truth of warfare: when fear overwhelms discipline, even a strong army collapses. It implicitly contrasts steadfastness and leadership with panic-driven flight, reminding that courage and order are essential to uphold kṣātra-dharma in crisis.
A fierce barrage of missiles and weapons wounds and destabilizes Viśvāmitra’s forces. In full view of Viśvāmitra, the warriors lose formation and flee in all directions, indicating a decisive moment of rout.