Shloka 11
Adhyāya 140: Rātriyuddhe Droṇa-prāpti-prayatnaḥ
Night engagement and the attempt to reach Droṇa
ततो व्युदस्तं तत् सैन्यं सिन्धुसौवीरकौरवम् । प्रोत्सारितं महावेगै: कर्णपाण्डवयो: शरै:,इस प्रकार कर्ण और भीमसेनके महान् वेगशाली बाणोंद्वारा सिन्धु, सौवीर और कौरवदलकी वह सेना उखड़ गयी और वहाँसे भाग खड़ी हुई
tato vyudastaṃ tat sainyaṃ sindhusauvīrakauravam | protsāritaṃ mahāvegaiḥ karṇapāṇḍavayoḥ śaraiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Then that host of the Sindhus, the Sauvīras, and the Kauravas—shaken loose and thrown into disorder—was driven back and scattered by the mighty, swift-flying arrows of Karṇa and the Pāṇḍava (Bhīmasena). The scene underscores how, in the press of war, even large formations collapse when struck by superior force and resolve, and how martial prowess can abruptly overturn confidence and cohesion on the battlefield.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a practical ethical insight of the epic’s war narrative: collective strength depends on discipline and morale, and when confronted by overwhelming prowess and momentum, even a large force can lose cohesion and be driven back. It also reflects the kṣatriya-world emphasis on decisive action and the consequences of martial superiority.
Sañjaya reports that the combined contingent of Sindhus, Sauvīras, and Kauravas is dislodged and pushed back—effectively scattered—by the powerful, fast arrows shot by Karṇa and the Pāṇḍava warrior identified in the given context as Bhīmasena.