Shloka 643
Duryodhana’s Śaraṇāgati and the Pāṇḍavas’ Resolve
Gandharva Encounter
क्षणेन व्यद्रवत् सर्व विमुखं चाप्यदृश्यत । शिलाखण्ड, शतष्नी (तोप), प्रास, खड्ग, परिघ और गदाओंके लगातार प्रहार हो रहे थे। इन भयंकर महान् अस्त्रोंकी मारसे देवताओंकी सारी सेना क्षणभरमें (पीठ दिखाकर) भाग चली। सारे सैनिक युद्धसे विमुख दिखायी देते थे
kṣaṇena vyadravat sarvaṃ vimukhaṃ cāpyadṛśyata |
Dijo Mārkaṇḍeya: «En un instante, todo el ejército se quebró y huyó; se lo vio volverse de la lucha. Bajo los golpes incesantes de fragmentos de piedra, proyectiles como rayos, lanzas, espadas, mazas de hierro y garrotes—armas terribles y poderosas—la hueste de los dioses, duramente herida, echó a correr de inmediato dando la espalda, mostrándose por completo reacia al combate.»
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even mighty forces can collapse when struck by overwhelming violence; the episode underscores the instability of worldly power and the ethical tension in war—courage and duty are praised, yet fear and retreat are shown as real human (and even divine) reactions under extreme assault.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes a sudden rout: continuous strikes from heavy and dreadful weapons cause the gods’ army to turn its back and flee, appearing disengaged from the battle.