Shloka 60
अध्याय ८० — मध्यंदिन-रणवृत्तान्तः
Yudhiṣṭhira–Śrutāyu encounter; Cekitāna–Gautama clash; Abhimanyu pressure; Arjuna’s redeployment
तान् प्रयातान् महेष्वासानभिमन्युपुरोगमान् | भीमसेन भयाविष्टा धृष्टद्युम्नविमोहिता,जनेश्वर! आपकी सेना भीमसेनके भयसे व्याकुल और धूृष्टद्युम्नके बाणोंसे मोहित हो रही थी। अतः आक्रमण करनेवाले अभिमन्यु आदि महाधनुर्धर वीरोंको वह रोकनेमें समर्थ न हो सकी। मद और मूच्छाके वशीभूत हुई मतवाली स्त्रीकी भाँति वह मार्गमें चुपचाप खड़ी रही
sañjaya uvāca | tān prayātān maheṣvāsān abhimanyupurogāmān | bhīmasena-bhayāviṣṭā dhṛṣṭadyumna-vimohitā ||
Sañjaya said: As those mighty archers advanced with Abhimanyu at their head, your army, O lord of men, was seized by fear of Bhīmasena and thrown into confusion by Dhṛṣṭadyumna’s shafts. Therefore it could not check the onrushing heroes led by Abhimanyu; like a woman intoxicated and overcome by stupor, it stood silently in the path, powerless to act.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear and mental confusion can paralyze even a large force: when courage and clarity collapse, numerical strength becomes ineffective. In a dharmic-war context, steadiness (dhairya) and disciplined leadership are essential to fulfill kṣatriya duty.
Sañjaya reports to the king that Abhimanyu and other great archers are advancing. The Kaurava troops are terrified by Bhīma and disoriented by Dhṛṣṭadyumna’s attack, so they fail to stop the assault and stand inert, unable to respond effectively.