Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 67
Varuṇābhiṣeka–Agni-anveṣaṇa–Kaubera-tīrtha
Varuṇa’s Consecration; Search for Agni; Kaubera Sacred Site
वह सेना बड़ी भयंकर थी। उसने हाथोंमें शूल, मुदू्गर, जलते हुए काठ, गदा, मुसल, नाराच, शक्ति और तोमर धारण कर रखे थे। सारी सेना विचित्र आभूषणों और कवचोंसे सुसज्जित थी तथा दर्पयुक्त सिंहके समान दहाड़ रही थी, उस सेनाके साथ सिंहनाद करके कुमार कार्तिकिय युद्धके लिये प्रस्थित हुए ।।
taṁ dṛṣṭvā sarvadaityā rākṣasā dānavās tathā | vyadravanta diśaḥ sarvā bhayoddignāḥ samantataḥ ||
That host was exceedingly dreadful. In their hands they bore tridents, heavy maces, blazing brands of wood, clubs, iron pestles, narāca arrows, the spear called Śakti, and tomara javelins. The whole army was arrayed in strange ornaments and armor, roaring like a lion swollen with pride; and with a lion’s cry Kumāra Kārtikeya (Skanda) set forth for battle. Seeing him, all the Daityas, the Rākṣasas, and the Dānavas—shaken by fear—fled in every direction on all sides.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and practical reality that fear and loss of morale can decide outcomes in war: when a force appears irresistibly strong, opponents may abandon aggression and flee, reducing bloodshed but also revealing how inner steadiness is crucial in conflict.
After witnessing the formidable figure/force being described, the assembled Daityas, Dānavas, and Rākṣasas become panic-stricken and scatter, running away in all directions.