Shloka 7
अध्याय १४८ — कर्णप्रभावः, धृष्टद्युम्नस्य विरथता, तथा घटोत्कच-आह्वानम्
Chapter 148: Karṇa’s Pressure, Dhṛṣṭadyumna Unhorsed, and the Summoning of Ghaṭotkaca
आकर्णपूर्णनिर्मुक्तिरग्न्यर्काशुनि भै: शरै:,प्रलीनमीनमकरं सागराम्भ इवाभवत् | संजय कहते हैं--राजन्! उस समय अर्जुनके द्वारा खींचे जानेवाले गाण्डीव धनुषकी अत्यन्त भयंकर टंकार यमराजकी सुस्पष्ट गर्जना तथा इन्द्रके वज्रकी गड़गड़ाहटके समान जान पड़ती थी। उसे सुनकर आपकी सेना भयसे उद्विग्न हो बड़ी घबराहटमें पड़ गयी। उस समय उसकी दशा प्रलयकालकी आँधीसे क्षोभको प्राप्त एवं उत्ताल तरंगोंसे परिपूर्ण हुए उस महासागरके जलकी-सी हो गयी, जिसमें मछली और मगर आदि जलजन्तु छिप जाते हैं
sañjaya uvāca |
ākarṇapūrṇanirmuktir agnyarkāśanibhaiḥ śaraiḥ,
pralīnamīnamakaraṃ sāgarāmbha ivābhavat |
Sañjaya said: O King, the arrows Arjuna released at full draw—terrible like fire, the sun, and thunder—made your army like the ocean’s waters where fish and crocodiles vanish from sight: thrown into turmoil, overwhelmed by fear, and seeking concealment.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how disciplined martial skill and overwhelming force can shatter an opponent’s morale: fear makes even the mighty behave like sea-creatures that disappear when the ocean is violently stirred. It implicitly contrasts steadiness and resolve with panic and loss of composure in dharmic warfare.
Sañjaya describes Arjuna releasing arrows at full draw. Their terrifying, blazing, thunder-like impact causes the Kaurava forces to become agitated and frightened, likened to ocean waters in which fish and crocodiles hide when the sea is churned.