Shloka 23
कर्णेनाभ्याहता राजन् पञ्चाला: परमेषुभि: । द्रोणेन च दिश: सर्वा वीक्षमाणा: प्रदुद्र॒ुवु:,राजन! कर्ण और द्रोणाचार्यके चलाये हुए उत्तम बाणोंसे घायल होकर पांचाल-सैनिक सम्पूर्ण दिशाओंकी ओर देखते हुए भाग रहे थे
sañjaya uvāca
karṇenābhyāhatā rājan pāñcālāḥ parameṣubhiḥ |
droṇena ca diśaḥ sarvā vīkṣamāṇāḥ pradudruvuḥ ||
Sañjaya said: O King, struck down by Karṇa’s finest arrows, and also by Droṇa’s shafts, the Pāñcāla warriors—glancing in all directions in fear and confusion—broke ranks and fled.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how overwhelming force and skilled leadership can shatter morale: when fear spreads, discipline collapses and soldiers scatter. Ethically, it underscores that in war, inner steadiness and cohesion are as decisive as weapons; panic leads to disorder and vulnerability.
Sañjaya reports to the king that the Pāñcāla troops, wounded by Karṇa’s excellent arrows and pressed by Droṇa as well, look around in alarm and flee in all directions, indicating a rout on that part of the battlefield.