Shloka 34
Śalya-hatānantarāṇi: Madrarāja-padānugānāṃ praskandana and the Pandava counter-encirclement (शल्यहतानन्तराणि—मद्रराजपदानुगानां प्रस्कन्दनम्)
तेनाथ शब्देन विभीषणेन तथाभितप्तं बलमप्रधृष्यम् कांदिग्भूतं रुधिरेणो क्षिताडूं विसंज्ञकल्पं च तदा विषण्णम्
tenātha śabdena vibhīṣaṇena tathābhitaptaṃ balam apradhṛṣyam | kāndigbhūtaṃ rudhireṇokṣitāṅgaṃ visaṃjñakalpaṃ ca tadā viṣaṇṇam ||
Dijo Sañjaya: Herido y abrasado por aquel clamor espantoso, el ejército que parecía inconquistable cayó en la confusión. Manchado de sangre, quedó como sin sentido, se hundió en el desaliento y huyó presa del pánico, sin saber hacia qué dirección dirigirse.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that in war, inner stability and morale are decisive: even a powerful force can crumble when fear overwhelms discernment, leading to confusion, flight, and ethical disintegration amid bloodshed.
Sañjaya describes a terrifying sound on the battlefield that shocks the (otherwise formidable) host into panic; bloodied and disoriented, the troops become almost senseless and flee aimlessly in despair.