Shloka 423
त्रिपुरदाह-इतिहासः
Tripura-destruction exemplum and counsel to Śalya
द्राव्यमाणान्यदृश्यन्त सौबलेन महात्मना । महामना शकुनिने घमंडमें भरे हुए उन शस्त्रसम्पन्न महान् सैनिकोंको भगा दिया। यह सब हमने अपनी आँखों देखा
sañjaya uvāca | drāvyamāṇāny adṛśyanta saubalena mahātmanā | mahāmanā śakuninā ||
संजय बोले— महात्मा सौबल, महामना शकुनि ने शस्त्रसम्पन्न और घमंड से भरे उन महान् योद्धाओं को भगा दिया; वे भागते हुए दिखाई देने लगे। यह सब हमने अपनी आँखों से देखा।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how pride and mere armament do not guarantee steadiness in battle; resolve and tactical force can scatter even well-equipped fighters. Ethically, it underscores the Mahabharata’s recurring warning against overconfidence (mada/garva) amid the demands of kshatriya conduct.
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra what he witnessed on the battlefield: Shakuni, identified as Saubala (son of Subala), drove opposing warriors into flight, and this rout was plainly visible to the observers.