Shloka 34
ये चापि नासन् व्यथिता मनुष्या- स्तेषां करेभ्य: पतितं हि शस्त्रम् भयाच्च संचुक्रुशुरस्वरैस्ते निमीलिताक्षा ददृशु: समन्ततः,जो लोग भयसे व्याकुल नहीं हुए, उनके हाथोंसे भी हथियार तो गिर ही पड़ा। वे भयसे मन्द स्वरमें सहायकोंको पुकारने लगे और आँखें कुछ-कुछ बंद किये ही सब ओर देखने लगे
ye cāpi nāsan vyathitā manuṣyās teṣāṃ karebhyaḥ patitaṃ hi śastram | bhayāc ca saṃcukruśur asvarais te nimīlitākṣā dadṛśuḥ samantataḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Even those men who had not yet been shaken by panic still let their weapons slip from their hands. Overcome by fear, they began to cry out in muted voices for help, and with eyes half-closed they looked all around—bewildered, seeking safety amid the terror of battle.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear can overpower even those who seem steady: bodily control fails (weapons drop), speech weakens (muted cries), and perception narrows (half-closed eyes). It implicitly contrasts inner steadiness with mere outward bravery, showing the ethical pressure of war where courage and dharma are tested by terror.
Sañjaya describes the battlefield atmosphere: panic spreads among the warriors. Even those not yet visibly distressed lose grip of their weapons, call for help in faint voices, and look around anxiously, as if searching for refuge or understanding amid the chaos.