Shloka 24
भीमस्य जलान्वेषणं तथा वनविश्रान्तिः
Bhīma’s Search for Water and the Forest Halt
सबालवृद्धास्ते पौरा: कौरवानभ्यायुस्तदा । श्र॒ुत्वा सुतुमुलं युद्ध कौरवानेव भारत
sabālavṛddhās te paurāḥ kauravān abhyāyus tadā | śrutvā sutumulaṃ yuddhaṃ kauravān eva bhārata ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Entonces los habitantes de la ciudad—niños y ancianos por igual—salieron en tropel contra los Kaurava. Oh Bhārata (Janamejaya), al oír que una batalla feroz y tumultuosa estaba en curso, los Kaurava quedaron sumidos en el desconcierto y el desorden.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how war’s disturbance spreads to the entire polity: when conflict erupts, even ordinary citizens—across generations—feel compelled to act. It implicitly warns that adharma in leadership and warfare destabilizes society, drawing the innocent into danger and eroding normal civic life.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that, upon hearing of a violent and chaotic battle, the townspeople (including children and elders) surge forward against the Kauravas. The report of ‘tumultuous war’ signals panic and mobilization, suggesting the Kaurava side is being pressured or thrown into confusion.