Shloka 36
वृषा यथा भग्नशुज्जा: शीर्णदन्ता यथा गजा: । वे अपनेको अनाथ समझते हुए किसी नाथ (सहायक) की इच्छा रखते थे और सिंहके सताये हुए मृगों, टूटे सींगवाले साँड़ों तथा जीर्ण-शीर्ण दाँतोंवाले हाथियोंके समान असमर्थ हो गये थे,सिंहनादांश्व बहुश: शूणु घोरान् भयावहान् | तस्माद् याहि शनै: सूत जघनं परिपालय 'सूत! वह सुनो, बारंबार भय उत्पन्न करनेवाले घोर सिंहनाद हो रहे हैं। इसलिये तुम धीरे-धीरे चलो और सेनाके पृष्ठभागकी रक्षा करो
sañjaya uvāca | vṛṣā yathā bhagnaśṛṅgāḥ śīrṇadantā yathā gajāḥ | siṃhanādāṃś ca bahuśaḥ śṛṇu ghorān bhayāvahān | tasmād yāhi śanaiḥ sūta jaghanaṃ paripālaya |
Sañjaya said: “They became helpless—like bulls with broken horns and elephants with worn-out teeth—like deer harried by a lion, thinking themselves without a protector and longing for some lordly support. Hear, O charioteer, those dreadful lion-roars again and again, bringing fear. Therefore drive slowly, and guard the rear of the army.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In crisis, panic and a sense of being ‘without a protector’ weaken an army; steadiness and prudent action—such as moving carefully and securing the vulnerable rear—are essential duties of leadership and support roles.
Sañjaya describes troops becoming demoralized and powerless, likening them to injured animals. Hearing repeated, terrifying battle-roars, he urges the charioteer to proceed slowly and to protect the army’s rear, indicating tactical caution amid fear and confusion.