Shloka 18
Irāvān-nidhana-anantaraṃ Ghaṭotkaca-nādaḥ
After Irāvān’s fall: Ghaṭotkaca’s roar and the clash with Duryodhana
तस्मिज्जिते महेष्वासे धर्मपुत्रेण संयुगे । दुर्योधनबलं राजन् सर्वमासीत् पराड्मुखम्,राजन! संग्राममें धर्मपुत्र युधिष्ठिरद्वारा महाधनुर्धर श्रुतायुके पराजित होनेपर दुर्योधनकी सारी सेना पीठ दिखाकर भागने लगी
tasmiñ jite maheṣvāse dharmaputreṇa saṁyuge | duryodhana-balaṁ rājan sarvam āsīt parāṅmukham ||
Sañjaya said: When that great archer was defeated in battle by Dharmaputra (Yudhiṣṭhira), O King, the entire force of Duryodhana turned its back and fled.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and practical dimension of leadership in war: when a key champion falls, collective courage can collapse. It also implies that steadfast action aligned with dharma (here, Dharmaputra’s resolve) can decisively influence outcomes beyond mere numbers.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that a renowned archer has been defeated by Yudhiṣṭhira in the thick of battle, and as a result Duryodhana’s forces lose heart, turn their backs, and begin to flee.