Shloka 78
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 114 — Karṇa–Bhīmasena Missile Exchange, Disarmament, and Arjuna’s Intervention
त॑ं दृष्टवा प्रविविक्षन्तं सैन्यं तव जनाधिप,भूय एवाभवन्मूढं सुभृशं चाप्यकम्पत । नरेश्वर! सात्यकिको अपने भीतर प्रवेश करनेके लिये उत्सुक देख आपकी सेनापर पुनः: मोह छा गया और वह बारंबार काँपने लगी
taṁ dṛṣṭvā pravivikṣantaṁ sainyaṁ tava janādhipa, bhūya evābhavan mūḍhaṁ subhṛśaṁ cāpy akampata |
Sañjaya said: O lord of men, seeing Sātyaki eager to break into their ranks, your army once again fell into bewilderment, and it began to tremble violently.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a moral-psychological truth of warfare: when resolve and purpose are clear (as in Sātyaki’s intent to penetrate the ranks), opposing forces may lose composure. Ethical strength in battle is not only physical prowess but steadiness of mind; confusion (moha) becomes a decisive weakness.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Kaurava host, upon seeing Sātyaki poised to force entry into their formation, is again seized by confusion and begins to tremble intensely—signaling a moment of panic in the ranks before the impending clash.