Shloka 413
त्रिपुरदाह-इतिहासः
Tripura-destruction exemplum and counsel to Śalya
सौबलं समरे दृष्टवा विचरन्तमभीतवत् । प्रजानाथ! सुबलपुत्र शकुनिको समरभूमिमें निर्भयसे विचरते देख पाण्डव-दलमें महान् सिंहनाद होने लगा
saubalaṃ samare dṛṣṭvā vicarantam abhītavat | prajānātha! subalaputraḥ śakuniko samarabhūmau nirbhayena vicarate dṛṣṭvā pāṇḍava-dale mahān siṃhanādo 'bhavat |
Sanjaya said: “O lord of men, seeing Saubala—Shakuni, the son of Subala—moving about the battlefield as if fearless, a great lion-like roar arose within the Pandava ranks.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and strategic weight of fearlessness (or the appearance of it) in war: a warrior’s composure can influence the morale of entire armies, provoking counter-shouts and collective resolve.
Sañjaya reports to the king that Śakuni (Saubala), moving about the battlefield without fear, is noticed; in response, the Pāṇḍava forces raise a powerful lion-like war-cry, signaling heightened excitement and readiness.