Shloka 306
Chapter 30: Formation Disruption, Competing War-Cries, and Nīla’s Fall
Droṇa-parva
केचिद् दुर्योधन राजन्नर्धमाना: किरीटिना । राजन! किरीटधारी अर्जुनसे पीड़ित हो आपकी सेनाके कितने ही नरश्रेष्ठ द्रोणाचार्यके पीछे जा छिपे और कितने ही सैनिक राजा दुर्योधनके पास भाग गये
sañjaya uvāca | kecid duryodhana rājann ardhāmānāḥ kirīṭinā |
Sañjaya dit : «Ô roi Duryodhana, certains de tes guerriers—à demi défaillants et accablés—étaient harcelés par Arjuna au diadème. Dans la peur et la confusion, beaucoup cherchèrent refuge derrière Droṇācārya, tandis que d’autres s’enfuirent vers toi.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral-psychological reality of war: when courage collapses, even renowned warriors seek protection behind authority (Droṇa) or retreat to their commander (Duryodhana). It implicitly contrasts ideal kṣatriya steadiness with human fear under overwhelming force.
Sañjaya reports that Arjuna (called Kirīṭin) is pressing the Kaurava forces so hard that some become dazed and try to hide behind Droṇācārya, while others run back toward Duryodhana for safety and direction.