Shloka 12
Adhyāya 110: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Lament on Fate; Saṃjaya’s Reproof and the Princes’ Assault on Bhīma (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय ११०)
सौमदत्ते: शिरो दृष्टवा निहतं तन्महात्मन: । वित्रस्तास्तावका राजन प्रदुद्रुवुरनेकथा,महाराज! महामना शलके मस्तकको कटा हुआ देख आपके सैनिक अत्यन्त भयभीत हो अनेक दलोंमें बँटकर भागने लगे
saumadatteḥ śiro dṛṣṭvā nihataṃ tan-mahātmanaḥ | vitrastās tāvakā rājan pradudruvur anekathā ||
Wahai Raja, ketika pasukanmu melihat kepala Saumadatti yang mulia telah terpenggal dan tergeletak sebagai gugur, mereka dilanda ketakutan dan lari tercerai-berai ke berbagai arah, terpecah menjadi banyak kelompok.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how quickly collective resolve can collapse when a revered leader falls. In the ethical frame of the epic, it underscores the human cost of war: even mighty armies are governed by fear, grief, and shaken confidence, reminding rulers that violence breeds instability and suffering beyond the immediate victory.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Kaurava soldiers, upon seeing Saumadatti (Bhūriśravas) slain and his head cut off, become terrified and flee, scattering into different groups and directions on the battlefield.