Shloka 46
Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel and the Discharge of the Śakti (शल्यवधप्रसङ्गः)
तस्मिन् विलुलिते सैन्ये त्रस्तास्तस्य पदानुगा: । गाण्डीवधन्वा विस्फार्य धनुस्तानहनच्छरै:,इस प्रकार जब सारी सेनामें हलचल मच गयी, तब दुर्योधनके पीछे चलनेवाले सैनिक भयसे थर्रा उठे। उस समय गाण्डीवधारी अर्जुनने अपने धनुषको खींचकर छोड़े हुए बाणोंद्वारा उन सबको मार डाला
tasmin vilulite sainye trastās tasya padānugāḥ | gāṇḍīvadhanvā visphārya dhanuḥ tān ahanac charaiḥ ||
When the army was thrown into confusion, the warriors who followed in his wake were seized with fear. Then Arjuna, bearer of the Gāṇḍīva, twanged and drew his bow and struck them down with his arrows.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear and disorder in war rapidly undo even organized forces, and how loyalty to a leader can draw followers into danger; it also reflects the harsh inevitability of kṣatriya warfare, where decisive action exploits moments of panic.
As the battlefield ranks become unsettled, the troops following the leader (understood in context as Duryodhana) panic; Arjuna, wielding the Gāṇḍīva, draws and releases arrows and cuts down those frightened followers.