Shloka 303
Adhyāya 21 — Duryodhanasya bāṇavarṣaḥ
Duryodhana’s Arrow-Storm and the Dust-Obscured Engagements
दुर्योधनबलं सर्व पुनरासीत् पराड्मुखम् । राजन! जब सात्यकि युद्धके लिये डटे रहे और कृतवर्मा रथहीन होकर भाग गया, तब दुर्योधनकी सारी सेना पुनः युद्धसे विमुख हो वहाँसे पलायन करने लगी
sañjaya uvāca | duryodhana-balaṃ sarvaṃ punar āsīt parāṅmukham | rājan, yadā sātyaki yuddhāya daḍhe tiṣṭhan kṛtavarmā ca rathahīnaḥ palāyitaḥ, tadā duryodhanasya sarvā senā punar yuddhāt vimukhī bhūtvā tataḥ palāyituṃ pravavṛte |
Sañjaya said: O King, when Sātyaki stood firm, resolved to fight, and Kṛtavarmā—bereft of his chariot—fled, then all of Duryodhana’s forces once again turned away from battle and began to retreat from that place. The scene underscores how courage and steadfastness can steady one side, while fear and loss of support can unravel an army’s resolve.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how steadfast courage (as shown by Sātyaki) can influence the course of conflict, while panic and loss of support (Kṛtavarmā fleeing without his chariot) can rapidly erode collective morale. Ethically, it reflects the kṣatriya ideal of standing one’s ground in battle and the consequences when that resolve fails.
Sanjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Sātyaki remains firmly engaged in battle, whereas Kṛtavarmā, having lost his chariot, runs away. Seeing this, Duryodhana’s forces again turn away from fighting and begin to retreat from the battlefield.