Shloka 26
भीष्मरथाभिमुख्यं — Arjuna’s advance with Śikhaṇḍin; Duḥśāsana’s interception
विशीर्णविप्रधावन्तो दृश्यन्ते सम दिशो दश | नवमेघप्रतीकाशा जलदोपमनि:स्वना:,माननीय महाराज! ढाल, विचित्र चँवर, पताका, श्वेत छत्र, सुवर्णदण्डभूषित चामर--ये चारों ओर बिखरे पड़े थे और (इन्हींके ऊपरसे) नूतन मेघोंकी घटाके सदृश हाथी मेघोंके समान भयंकर गर्जना करते हुए सम्पूर्ण दिशाओंमें दौड़ते दिखायी देते थे
sañjaya uvāca |
viśīrṇavipradhāvanto dṛśyante samadiśo daśa |
navameghapratīkāśā jaladopamaniḥsvanāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “Scattered and fleeing in disorder, they are seen rushing in all ten directions—like newly formed storm-clouds in appearance, and with a roar like thunderclouds.” The verse paints the moral atmosphere of battle: when order and resolve collapse, fear drives even the mighty into blind flight, and the field becomes a spectacle of confusion rather than righteous steadiness.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how quickly courage and discipline can dissolve in war: when cohesion breaks, fear scatters people in every direction, and the battlefield becomes dominated by noise and confusion rather than purposeful action.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that combatants are seen dispersed and fleeing in all directions, their mass and tumult likened to newly risen storm-clouds and the thunderous roar of rain-bearing clouds.