Shloka 14
अश्वमेधीयस्य हयस्य दक्षिणापश्चिमगमनम् — The Sacrificial Horse’s Southern and Western Circuit
गान्धारराजपुत्रस्तु पलायनकृतक्षण: । ययौ तैरेव सहितत्त्रस्तै: क्षुद्रमूगैरिव
gāndhārarājaputrastu palāyanakṛtakṣaṇaḥ | yayau taireva sahitaḥ trastaiḥ kṣudramṛgair iva ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana dit : Le fils du roi de Gāndhāra, saisissant l’instant pour fuir, s’enfuit avec ces mêmes hommes terrifiés, tels de petits cerfs se dispersant de peur (devant un lion).
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
When one’s actions are rooted in unrighteousness or opportunism, courage tends to fail under pressure; fear exposes inner weakness, whereas steadfast valor aligned with dharma compels even aggressors to retreat.
The Gāndhāra king’s son notices a chance to escape and flees along with other frightened soldiers, compared to small deer scattering in terror—implying they are overwhelmed by the threat (contextually, Arjuna’s prowess).