Shloka 57
अध्याय ५८ — वानरध्वजस्य महेन्द्रास्त्रप्रयोगः
Chapter 58: Arjuna’s Deployment of the Indra-Weapon
योधैश्न निहतैस्तत्र पार्थबाणप्रपीडितै: । बलमासीत् समुदश्रान्तं द्रोणार्जुनसमागमे
vaiśaṃpāyana uvāca | yodhaiś ca nihatās tatra pārthabāṇaprapīḍitaiḥ | balam āsīt samudbhrāntaṃ droṇārjunasamāgame ||
Vaiśampāyana dijo: En aquel encuentro entre Droṇa y Arjuna, muchos guerreros allí—aplastados por las flechas de Pārtha—fueron muertos. El ejército, al ver caer a sus campeones y el campo cubierto de armaduras destrozadas y estandartes abatidos, quedó desconcertado y presa del pánico, como si el miedo le hubiese robado la lucidez.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a practical ethical insight of war narratives: when violence escalates and casualties become visible, collective discipline collapses into fear and confusion. It cautions that power in battle affects not only bodies but also minds—morale and clarity are fragile, and leadership must account for the psychological cost of conflict.
Vaiśampāyana describes the clash between Droṇa and Arjuna. Arjuna’s arrows inflict heavy losses, and as warriors are slain the opposing force becomes disoriented and panic-stricken, overwhelmed by the devastation on the field.