Shloka 17
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Anxiety and Sañjaya’s Report on the Pandavas’ Coalition
Kāmyaka Context
अपि तद्रथघोषेण भयार्ता सव्यसाचिन: । प्रतिभाति विदीर्णेव सर्वतो भारती चमू:,मुझे तो आज भी सव्यसाची अर्जुनके रथकी घरघराहटसे सारी कौरव-सेना भयातुर हो छिन्न-भिन्न-सी होती प्रतीत हो रही है
api tad-ratha-ghoṣeṇa bhayārtā savyasācinaḥ | pratibhāti vidīrṇeva sarvato bhāratī camūḥ ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Aun ahora me parece que, herido por el miedo ante el estruendo atronador del carro de Savyasācin Arjuna, el ejército de los Bhārata se muestra como si estuviera hecho añicos—quebrado por todos lados.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral-psychological dimension of dharmic strength: the mere presence and momentum of a righteous, formidable warrior can dissolve the confidence of an opposing force. It suggests that fear arises not only from weapons but from the recognition of superior resolve and capability.
Vaiśampāyana describes how Arjuna’s chariot-roar is remembered or envisioned as so intimidating that the Bhārata host seems to break apart in panic on all sides—an image of an army’s cohesion collapsing under the pressure of a renowned warrior’s advance.