Shloka 6.66.17
कुम्भकर्णप्रस्थानम् तथा अङ्गदप्रेरणा (Kumbhakarna’s sortie and Angada’s rallying of the Vanaras)
ममज्जुरर्णवेकेचिद्गुहाःकेचित्समाश्रिताः ।निपेतुःकेचिदपरेकेचिन्नैवावतस्थिरे ।।।।केचिद्भूमौनिपतिताःकेचित्सुप्तामृताइव ।
mamajjur arṇave kecid guhāḥ kecit samāśritāḥ |
nipetuḥ kecid apare kecin naivāvatasthire |
kecid bhūmau nipatitāḥ kecit suptā mṛtā iva ||
Some sank and drowned in the sea; some took refuge in caves. Some others collapsed helplessly, some could not even hold their ground; some fell upon the earth, and some lay as though dead in sleep.
Some drowned in the ocean, some entered into the caves, some others not knowing what to do sat down and others fell on the ground and some slept as if dead.
The verse highlights the moral danger of panic and loss of steadiness in crisis; dharma in war includes holding one’s duty with courage rather than collapsing into fear and disorder.
The Vānara forces are thrown into confusion and fear on the battlefield, scattering—some into the sea, some into caves, others collapsing on the ground.
Steadfastness (dhṛti) is implicitly emphasized by showing its absence—fear leads to helplessness and loss of collective purpose.