Shloka 61
न संवारयितुं शक्ता तव सेना जनाधिप । मदमूर्च्छान्वितात्मा वै प्रमदेवाध्वनि स्थिता,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
na saṃvārayituṃ śaktā tava senā janādhipa | mada-mūrcchānvita-ātmā vai pramadevādhvani sthitā ||
Sañjaya said: O ruler of men, your army was not able to hold them back. Overpowered by intoxication and stupor, it stood on the road like a heedless woman—unable to check the onrushing warriors. The verse underscores how loss of discipline and clarity in war turns even a great host into a passive obstacle rather than a protective force.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
An army (or any collective) collapses in effectiveness when overcome by ‘mada’ (reckless arrogance/intoxication) and ‘mūrcchā’ (stupor/confusion). The ethical implication is that leadership and dharma in conflict require steadiness, alertness, and self-control; without these, strength becomes useless.
Sañjaya reports to the king that the Kaurava host could not restrain the advancing fighters. The army, mentally overwhelmed, stood inert in the path—likened to a stupefied, heedless woman—signaling a breakdown of order and resistance at that moment in the battle.