Shloka 48
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 95 — Sātyaki’s Breakthrough and the Routing of Allied Contingents
शरैश्ष॒ शतशो विद्धास्ते संघा गिरिचारिण: । प्राद्रवन्त रणे भीता गिरिगह्वदरवासिन:,उस समय पर्वतोंपर विचरने और पर्वतीय कन्दराओंमें निवास करनेवाले सैकड़ों म्लेच्छ-संघ अर्जुनके बाणोंसे विद्ध एवं भयभीत हो रणभूमिसे भागने लगे
śaraiḥ śataśo viddhās te saṅghā giricāriṇaḥ | prādravanta raṇe bhītā girigahvaravāsinaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Pierced in their hundreds by Arjuna’s arrows, those bands of mountain-roaming fighters—dwellers of caves and ravines—were seized by fear and fled from the battlefield.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a recurring ethical reality of war: when violence becomes overwhelming, fear can dissolve collective resolve, leading groups to abandon the fight. It implicitly contrasts steadfastness in one’s duty with panic-driven flight.
Sañjaya reports that mountain-dwelling bands (described as roaming the hills and living in caves) are struck repeatedly by Arjuna’s arrows and, terrified, flee from the battlefield.