Shloka 15
दर्शनीयो युवा चैव शौर्येण कृतलक्षण: । दुःशासनो भृशोद्विग्न: प्राद्रवद् गजसंवृत:,जिसके शरीरमें शौर्यके चिह्न बन गये थे, वह दर्शनीय युवक दुःशासन भी भयसे अत्यन्त उद्विग्न हो अपनी गजसेनाके साथ भाग खड़ा हुआ
darśanīyo yuvā caiva śauryeṇa kṛtalakṣaṇaḥ | duḥśāsano bhṛśodvignaḥ prādravad gajasaṃvṛtaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: The handsome young warrior Duḥśāsana, whose body bore the marks earned through acts of valor, became exceedingly shaken with fear and fled, surrounded by his elephant-troops.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the instability of mere martial reputation: even a warrior marked by past valor can succumb to fear in the extremity of battle. Ethically, it invites reflection on inner steadiness (dhairya) versus outward fame, and how adharma-driven conflict erodes courage and judgment.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Duḥśāsana, though a notable young fighter, becomes intensely frightened and retreats, moving off with (or shielded by) an elephant contingent.