Shloka 14
अश्वमेधीयस्य हयस्य दक्षिणापश्चिमगमनम् — The Sacrificial Horse’s Southern and Western Circuit
गान्धारराजपुत्रस्तु पलायनकृतक्षण: । ययौ तैरेव सहितत्त्रस्तै: क्षुद्रमूगैरिव,उस समय गान्धारराज शकुनिका पुत्र भागनेका अवसर देखने लगा। जैसे सिंहसे डरे हुए छोटे-छोटे मृग भाग जाते हैं, उसी प्रकार अर्जुनसे भयभीत हुए सैनिकोंके साथ वह स्वयं भी भाग निकला
gāndhārarājaputrastu palāyanakṛtakṣaṇaḥ | yayau taireva sahitaḥ trastaiḥ kṣudramṛgair iva ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: The son of the king of Gāndhāra, seizing the moment to flee, ran off together with those same terrified men—like small deer scattering in fear (before a lion). The scene underscores how fear and adharma-driven aggression collapse into cowardly flight when confronted by superior valor and righteous force.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
When one’s actions are rooted in unrighteousness or opportunism, courage tends to fail under pressure; fear exposes inner weakness, whereas steadfast valor aligned with dharma compels even aggressors to retreat.
The Gāndhāra king’s son notices a chance to escape and flees along with other frightened soldiers, compared to small deer scattering in terror—implying they are overwhelmed by the threat (contextually, Arjuna’s prowess).