Shloka 72
प्रदुद्रुवर्दिशो भीता भीमाज्जाते महाभये । पुरुषसिंह भीमसेन रथपर ही बैठे रहे। उनसे महान् भय प्राप्त होनेके कारण धृतराष्ट्रके सभी पुत्र युद्धसे मुँह मोड़, डरकर सम्पूर्ण दिशाओंमें भाग गये || ७१ $ ।।
sa jaya uv01ca |
pradudruvur di5bo bh2bt01 bh2bm01j j01te mah01bhaye |
puru 63asi 43ha bh2bmasena rathapara hi bai 6dhe rahe ||
saubale nirjite r01jan bh2bmasenena dhanvin01 |
r01jan dhanu 63dhara-bh2bmasenasya 5bakuni 43 par01jite tava putrasya duryodhanasya mah01n bhaya 43 babh6bva |
sa m01maka-j2bvita-rak 6301m icchan vegavaddhi 63 6dai 25 a5bvai 25 tata 25 pal01yita 25 ||
Sañjaya said: When a great terror arose from Bhīma, the frightened warriors fled in all directions. Yet Bhīmasena, the lion among men, remained seated upon his chariot. O King, when Śakuni, son of Subala, was overcome by the bow-wielding Bhīmasena, great fear seized your son Duryodhana. Seeking to preserve his maternal uncle’s life, he fled swiftly from that place, carried by fast horses.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights how fear can unravel armies, while steadfast courage marks true heroism. It also shows a morally complex impulse in war: even an unrighteous leader like Duryodhana can act from familial loyalty, trying to protect his maternal uncle 27s life amid the chaos of battle.
Sanjaya reports that Bhima 27s onslaught creates widespread panic, sending warriors scattering. After Bhima defeats Shakuni (Saubala), Duryodhana becomes alarmed and retreats rapidly, motivated by the desire to save Shakuni.