Shloka 806
Śalya-hatānantarāṇi: Madrarāja-padānugānāṃ praskandana and the Pandava counter-encirclement (शल्यहतानन्तराणि—मद्रराजपदानुगानां प्रस्कन्दनम्)
बल॑ तु हतभूयिष्ठं तत् तदा55सीत् पराड्म्मुखम् । परंतु वहाँ सब ओर धूल छा रही थी, इसलिये शत्रुओंको इस बातका पता न चला। अधिकांश योद्धाओंके मारे जानेसे उस समय वह सारी सेना युद्धसे विमुख हो गयी थी
balaṃ tu hatabhūyiṣṭhaṃ tat tadā parāṅmukham āsīt |
Sanjaya said: That army, with most of its strength already destroyed, turned away from the battle at that time. Yet, because dust was rising everywhere, the enemies could not clearly perceive what had happened. With the majority of the warriors slain, the whole host became disheartened and withdrew from the fight.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights how the ethical and practical consequences of widespread killing manifest immediately as collapse of morale and withdrawal; it also shows how in war, perception is unreliable—dust and confusion can conceal realities, delaying recognition of victory or defeat.
Sañjaya reports that one side’s army, having lost most of its fighters, becomes parāṅmukha—turns away from combat and begins to withdraw. A thick cloud of dust obscures the scene, so the opposing forces do not at once realize the extent of the rout.