Shloka 12
विराटसभायां पाण्डवानां प्रवेशः — Arjuna’s Encomium of Yudhiṣṭhira in Virāṭa’s Court
ततो गजे राजनि चैव भिन्ने भग्ने विकर्णे च सपादरक्षे । गाण्डीवमुक्तिविशिखेै: प्रणुन्ना- स््ते योधमुख्या: सहसापजग्मु:
tato gaje rājani caiva bhinne bhagne vikarṇe ca sapādarākṣe | gāṇḍīvamuktiviśikhaiḥ praṇunnās te yodhamukhyāḥ sahasā pajagmuḥ ||
Alors, lorsque le seigneur éléphant et le roi des Kurus furent blessés, et lorsque Vikarṇa—avec les gardes à pied de l’éléphant—fut mis en déroute et s’enfuit, les plus grands guerriers, tourmentés par les flèches décochées du Gāṇḍīva, abandonnèrent soudain le champ de bataille et prirent la fuite. La scène montre comment l’orgueil guerrier s’effondre devant une adresse et une résolution supérieures, et comment la peur peut dissoudre en un instant la cohésion d’une armée.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the fragility of battlefield morale: when leadership and key supports (king, war-elephant, guards) are wounded or routed, even prominent warriors may abandon the field. Ethically, it contrasts steadfast kṣatriya resolve with the human tendency toward fear when faced with overwhelming force.
A decisive volley from the Gāṇḍīva wounds the royal elephant and the Kuru king; Vikarṇa, along with the elephant’s foot-guards, is routed. Under the pressure of Arjuna’s arrows, the leading warriors suddenly flee the battlefield.