Shloka 78
उत्पातवर्णनम् (Utpāta-varṇanam) — Catalogue of Portents
नैव शक््या समाधातुं संनिपाते महाचमू: । दीर्णामित्येव दीर्यन्ते सुविद्वांसोईपि भारत,भरतनन्दन! विशाल सेनामें जब भगदड़ मच जाती है, तब उसे समझा-बुझाकर रोकना कठिन हो जाता है। सेना भाग रही है, इतना सुनकर ही बड़े-बड़े युद्धविद्याके विद्वान् भी भागने लगते हैं
naiva śakyā samādhātuṁ saṁnipāte mahācamūḥ | dīrṇām ity eva dīryante suvidvāṁso ’pi bhārata bharatanandana ||
Vyāsa said: In the press of a great host assembled together, a mighty army cannot easily be brought back to order. The moment the cry is heard—“It has broken!”—even highly learned and battle-skilled men begin to scatter and flee, O Bhārata, O joy of the Bharatas. The verse underscores how collective panic overwhelms reason and discipline, making ethical steadiness and leadership crucial amid the chaos of war.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
Once panic spreads in a large, tightly packed army, rational counsel and even expert knowledge lose their force; therefore steadiness, clear command, and inner discipline are essential to prevent collapse in crisis.
Vyāsa describes the dynamics of a battlefield rout: when the rumor or cry arises that the army has ‘broken,’ the mass begins to scatter, and even seasoned, learned warriors are swept into flight.