Shloka 80
Śalya-hatānantarāṇi: Madrarāja-padānugānāṃ praskandana and the Pandava counter-encirclement (शल्यहतानन्तराणि—मद्रराजपदानुगानां प्रस्कन्दनम्)
तत् परे नान्वबुध्यन्त सैन्येन रजसा वृते
tat pare nānvabudhyanta sainyena rajasā vṛte
Sañjaya said: But those on the other side could not clearly perceive what was happening, for the army was enveloped in a cloud of dust. In the moral haze of battle—where confusion and obscured vision prevail—right judgment becomes difficult, and actions are driven more by circumstance than discernment.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, perception and understanding are easily obstructed—here literally by dust—suggesting that clarity of judgment is fragile amid violence and turmoil.
Sañjaya reports that the opposing side could not make out the situation because the movement of the troops raised dust that covered the battlefield, preventing clear recognition of events.