Shloka 23
अध्याय ५३ — रणमेघोपमा सेना-वर्णना तथा सुषेण-वधोत्तर प्रतिक्रिया
Battle-as-Storm Imagery and the Aftermath of Suṣeṇa’s Fall
दृष्टवा च युक्त त॑ युद्धे ब्राह्मणं चरितव्रतम् अपयातस्ततस्तूर्ण शिखण्डी राजसत्तम
sañjaya uvāca | dṛṣṭvā ca yuktaṃ yuddhe brāhmaṇaṃ caritavratam | apayātas tatas tūrṇaṃ śikhaṇḍī rājasattama nṛpaśreṣṭha |
Sañjaya dit : «Ô le meilleur des rois, voyant le brāhmane Kṛpācārya, ferme dans sa discipline de vœu et pleinement engagé au combat avec Suketu, Śikhaṇḍī se retira aussitôt et s’enfuit rapidement de ce lieu.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in war, perceived moral authority and disciplined observance of vows (vrata) can influence behavior: a warrior may hesitate, withdraw, or avoid confrontation when facing someone regarded as spiritually and ethically formidable.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Śikhaṇḍī, upon seeing Kṛpācārya—described as a vow-observing brāhmaṇa—actively engaged in battle, immediately retreated and fled from that spot.