Shloka 15
Sātyaki-praveśaḥ and Duryodhana-saṃnipātaḥ
Sātyaki’s passage and Duryodhana’s mass engagement
इषुजालावृतं घोरमन्धकारं समन्ततः । अनाधृष्यमिवान्येषां शूराणामभवत् तदा,चारों ओर बाणोंका जाल-सा बिछ जानेके कारण वहाँ घोर अन्धकार छा गया था। उस समय अन्य शूरवीरोंका वहाँ पहुँचना असम्भव-सा हो गया
sañjaya uvāca |
iṣujālāvṛtaṃ ghoraṃ andhakāraṃ samantataḥ |
anādhṛṣyam ivānyeṣāṃ śūrāṇām abhavat tadā ||
Sañjaya said: On every side a dreadful darkness seemed to spread, as though the field were veiled by a net of arrows. In that moment, it became as if the other warriors could not even dare to press forward.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how in war sheer intensity and weaponry can create a moral and perceptual ‘darkness’—a loss of clarity that checks even courageous men. It hints that power can overwhelm discernment, and that bravery alone is not enough when conditions become unapproachable.
Sañjaya describes a moment in the battle when a dense barrage of arrows forms a ‘net,’ making the scene appear dark on all sides. Because of this impenetrable arrow-storm, other warriors find it virtually impossible to advance into that area.