Shloka 743
कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ५९
Arjuna Breaks the Encirclement; Bhīma Reinforces
धृष्टद्युम्नमुखा वीरा घ्नन्ति शत्रूनू सहस्रश: । 'भीमसेनके बाणोंसे हतोत्साह होकर भागनेवाले कौरवमहारथियों तथा सहस्रों शत्रुओंको धृष्टद्युम्न आदि वीर मार रहे हैं
sañjaya uvāca | dhṛṣṭadyumnamukhā vīrā ghnanti śatrūn sahasraśaḥ |
Dijo Sañjaya: Guiados por Dhrishtadyumna, los valientes guerreros están masacrando al enemigo por millares. Los grandes combatientes de carro de los Kaurava, con el ánimo quebrado por las flechas de Bhimasena, se vuelven a huir; y al retirarse en desorden, Dhrishtadyumna y los demás héroes abaten tanto a esos luchadores eminentes como a las filas apiñadas—mostrando que, en la guerra, la pérdida de resolución se convierte pronto en ruina.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the ethics of kshatriya warfare, steadfastness (dhairya) is decisive: when courage collapses and warriors turn their backs, defeat becomes inevitable and the fleeing side suffers heavy loss. The verse highlights the moral-psychological dimension of battle—resolve sustains dharma in action, while panic accelerates destruction.
Sanjaya reports that Dhrishtadyumna and other Pandava heroes are cutting down enemies in vast numbers. The Kaurava maharathas, demoralized by Bhima’s arrows, begin to flee, and in that retreat they are further slain by the Pandava vanguard.