Shloka 40
शल्यवधे कौरवसेनाभङ्गः, भीमस्य गदायुद्धं, दुर्योधनस्य समाह्वानम्
Rout after Śalya’s fall; Bhīma’s mace engagement; Duryodhana’s rally
दुर्योधनबलं सर्व पुनरासीत् पराड्मुखम् | मद्रराजकजी वह विशाल सेना मारी गयी तथा शूरवीर मद्रराज शल्य पहले ही समरभूमिमें धराशायी किये जा चुके हैं, यह सब अपनी आँखों देखकर दुर्योधनकी सारी सेना पुनः पीठ दिखाकर भाग चली ।। वध्यमानं महाराज पाण्डवैर्जितकाशिभि: । दिशो भेजे5थ सम्भ्रान्तं भ्रामितं दृढ्धन्विभि:,महाराज! विजयसे उल्लसित होनेवाले दृढ़ धनुर्धर पाण्डवोंकी मार खाकर कौरव-सेना घबरा उठी और भ्रान्त-सी होकर सम्पूर्ण दिशाओंमें भागने लगी
sañjaya uvāca | duryodhana-balaṃ sarvaṃ punar āsīt parāṅmukham | vadhyamānaṃ mahārāja pāṇḍavair jita-kāśibhiḥ | diśo bheje 'tha sambhrāntaṃ bhrāmitaṃ dṛḍha-dhanvibhiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: O King, Duryodhana’s entire host once again turned its back in flight. Struck by the Pāṇḍavas—firm-bowed warriors exulting in victory—the Kaurava army, seized by panic and confusion, scattered and fled in all directions.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how unrighteous power (adharma) becomes unstable: when key protectors fall and confidence breaks, an army collapses into fear and disorder. Ethical strength and rightful conduct sustain courage; mere force without dharma cannot hold firm under crisis.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Duryodhana’s forces, struck hard by the victorious Pāṇḍavas and their steady archery, lose heart and flee in all directions, turning their backs on the battlefield.