Shloka 57
अध्याय ५८ — वानरध्वजस्य महेन्द्रास्त्रप्रयोगः
Chapter 58: Arjuna’s Deployment of the Indra-Weapon
योधैश्न निहतैस्तत्र पार्थबाणप्रपीडितै: । बलमासीत् समुदश्रान्तं द्रोणार्जुनसमागमे,द्रोणाचार्य और अर्जुनके उस युद्धमें पार्थके बाणोंसे पीड़ित हो कितने ही योद्धा मर गये थे। कितनोंकी केयूरभूषित भुजाएँ कटकर गिरी थीं। विचित्र वेष-भूषावाले महारथी धराशायी हो रहे थे। सुवर्णजटित विचित्र कवच और ध्वजाएँ वहाँ बिखरी पड़ी थीं। इन सब कारणोंसे वह सारी सेना उद्भ्रान्त (भयसे अचेत)-सी हो गयी थी
vaiśaṃpāyana uvāca | yodhaiś ca nihatās tatra pārthabāṇaprapīḍitaiḥ | balam āsīt samudbhrāntaṃ droṇārjunasamāgame ||
Vaiśampāyana said: In that encounter between Droṇa and Arjuna, many warriors there—crushed by Pārtha’s arrows—were slain. The army, seeing champions fall and the field strewn with shattered armor and standards, became bewildered and panic-stricken, as if robbed of clear sense by fear.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a practical ethical insight of war narratives: when violence escalates and casualties become visible, collective discipline collapses into fear and confusion. It cautions that power in battle affects not only bodies but also minds—morale and clarity are fragile, and leadership must account for the psychological cost of conflict.
Vaiśampāyana describes the clash between Droṇa and Arjuna. Arjuna’s arrows inflict heavy losses, and as warriors are slain the opposing force becomes disoriented and panic-stricken, overwhelmed by the devastation on the field.