Shloka 66
धृतराष्ट्र-संजय-संवादः — दुर्योधनस्य ह्रदप्रवेशः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Saṃjaya Dialogue: Duryodhana’s Entry into the Lake
प्रविद्रुता: शुष्कमुखा विसंज्ञा गाण्डीवघोषेण समाहताश्र । भयार्दिता भग्नरथाश्चनागा: पदातयश्नैव सधार्तराष्ट्रा:
pravidrutāḥ śuṣkamukhā visaṃjñā gāṇḍīvaghoṣeṇa samāhatāśrāḥ | bhayārditā bhagnarathāś ca nāgāḥ padātayaś naiva sa dhārtarāṣṭrāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Struck by the thunderous twang of Gāṇḍīva, they fled in panic—faces parched, senses failing, as though half-dead. Their chariots were shattered, their horses and elephants destroyed; tormented by fear, the Dhārtarāṣṭra troops, along with Duryodhana, ran away on foot.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear and loss of composure can collapse even a large force: when leadership, equipment, and morale break, warriors abandon position and dharma-like steadiness. It also underscores the ethical weight of courage and self-mastery in war—victory is not only physical but psychological.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Kaurava troops, overwhelmed by the terrifying sound of Arjuna’s bow Gāṇḍīva and suffering heavy losses (chariots, horses, elephants destroyed), panic and flee. Duryodhana and his men end up running away on foot.