पीड्यमानास्तु शल्येन पाण्डवा भृशविक्षता: । प्राद्रवन्त रणं हित्वा क्रोशमाने युधिष्ठिरे,शल्यके द्वारा पीड़ित एवं अत्यन्त घायल हुए पाण्डव-सैनिक युधिष्ठिरके पुकारनेपर भी युद्ध छोड़कर भाग चले
pīḍyamānās tu śalyena pāṇḍavā bhṛśa-vikṣatāḥ | prādravan raṇaṃ hitvā krośamāne yudhiṣṭhire ||
Sañjaya said: Tormented by Śalya and grievously wounded, the Pāṇḍava troops abandoned the battlefield and fled—even as Yudhiṣṭhira cried out to them.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights the ethical strain of warfare: physical suffering and terror can overwhelm discipline, and a righteous leader’s duty includes sustaining morale and preventing panic-driven collapse.
Śalya’s assault leaves the Pāṇḍava troops badly wounded; despite Yudhiṣṭhira’s loud calls to hold their ground, many abandon the fight and flee the battlefield.