Shloka 18
आचार्य-क्षमा, देśa–kāla-नīti, तथा भेद-दोषः
Teacher-Reconciliation, Timing-Policy, and the Fault of Factionalism
व्याकुलाश्न दिश: सर्वा हृदयं व्यथतीव मे । ध्वजेन पिहिता: सर्वा दिशो न प्रतिभान्ति मे,सम्पूर्ण दिशाओंमें घबराहट छा गयी है तथा मेरे हृदयमें बड़ी व्यथा हो रही है, इस ध्वजने तो समस्त दिशाओंको ढँक लिया है। अतः मुझे किसी दिशाकी प्रतीति नहीं हो रही है
uttara uvāca | vyākulāś ca diśaḥ sarvā hṛdayaṃ vyathatīva me | dhvajena pihitāḥ sarvā diśo na pratibhānti me ||
Uttara said: “All the directions seem thrown into confusion, and my heart feels as though it is in pain. This banner has covered every quarter; I can no longer even make out the directions.”
उत्तर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear and agitation can distort perception: when the mind is overwhelmed, even basic orientation and clarity are lost. It sets up the ethical contrast between panic and the steadiness expected of a kṣatriya in a moment of duty.
Prince Uttara, riding out toward battle, becomes frightened and disoriented. He says that the chariot’s banner seems to cover all directions and that his heart aches—an expression of his panic as he faces the impending conflict.