Shloka 24
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 37: Sañjaya’s Account of Abhimanyu’s Precision Disruption of a Chariot Contingent
संचचाल बलं॑ सर्व पलायनपरायणम् । सुभद्राकुमार अभिमन्युके द्वारा वीर अश्मक-राजकुमारके मारे जानेपर सारी सेना विचलित हो भागने लगी ।। तत:ः कर्ण: कृपो द्रोणो द्रौणिगान्धारराट्शल:
sañcacāla balaṁ sarvaṁ palāyanaparāyaṇam | subhadrākumāra abhimanyuke dvārā vīra aśmaka-rājakumārasya māre jāne para sārī senā vicalita ho bhāgane lagī || tataḥ karṇaḥ kṛpaḥ droṇo drauṇi-gāndhāra-rāṭ-śalyaḥ
Seluruh bala tentara pun goyah dan cenderung melarikan diri. Ketika pangeran Aśmaka yang gagah itu tewas oleh Abhimanyu, putra Subhadrā, segenap pasukan terguncang dan mulai berhamburan. Lalu Karṇa, Kṛpa, Droṇa, putra Droṇa (Aśvatthāmā), raja Gāndhāra, dan Śalya tampil ke depan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how quickly collective resolve can collapse when fear spreads, and how leaders are tested to uphold duty (dharma) amid panic. It implicitly contrasts steadiness and responsibility with the impulse to flee when circumstances turn adverse.
After Abhimanyu slays the valiant prince of Aśmaka, the opposing army becomes shaken and begins to run. Sañjaya then names prominent Kaurava-side warriors—Karna, Kṛpa, Droṇa, Aśvatthāmā, Śakuni, and Śalya—indicating those who respond in the aftermath of the rout.