Shloka 416
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
उवाच पार्थ बीभत्सुं निगृहा रथमुत्तमम् उस समय पाण्डुनन्दन युधिष्ठिरकी वह सेना व्याकुल होकर भटकती हुई गौओंके समूहकी भाँति आर्तस्वरसे हाहाकार करती हुई देखी गयी। कितने ही रथयूथपति भी किंकर्तव्यविमूढ़ होकर घूम रहे थे। अपनी सेनामें इस प्रकार भगदड़ मची हुई देख यदुकुलनन्दन भगवान् श्रीकृष्णने अपने उत्तम रथको खड़ा करके कुन्तीपुत्र अर्जुनसे कहा --
sañjaya uvāca | uvāca pārtha bībhatsuṁ nigṛhya ratham uttamam | us samaya pāṇḍu-nandana yudhiṣṭhira-kī vah senā vyākulā bhūtvā bhraśyantī gāvaḥ-samūhasya bhānti ārta-svarena hāhākāraṁ kurvatī dṛśyate sma | katinehi ratha-yūtha-patayaḥ api kiṁkartavya-vimūḍhāḥ paribhramantaḥ āsan | svāṁ senāṁ evaṁ bhagadaḍī-macchitāṁ dṛṣṭvā yadu-kula-nandanaḥ bhagavān śrī-kṛṣṇaḥ svaṁ uttama-rathaṁ sthāpayitvā kuntī-putram arjunaṁ uvāca ||
Sanjaya said: At that time, O Pandu’s son, Yudhishthira’s army was seen thrown into confusion—wandering about like a herd of cattle, raising a wail in distressed cries. Many leaders of chariot-squadrons too, bewildered about what ought to be done, were roaming aimlessly. Seeing such a rout within their own ranks, the Lord Shri Krishna, the delight of the Yadu line, halted his excellent chariot and spoke to Arjuna, the son of Kunti.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
When collective fear and disorder arise, dharma becomes obscured (‘what should be done?’). The passage highlights the ethical need for steadiness and right counsel: Krishna, as guide, first stabilizes the situation (halts the chariot) and then addresses Arjuna—modeling leadership that responds to panic with clarity and purposeful instruction.
Sanjaya reports that Yudhishthira’s army has fallen into a rout—soldiers and even chariot-commanders wander in confusion, crying out in distress like scattered cattle. Seeing this breakdown in discipline, Krishna stops his chariot and begins to speak to Arjuna, setting up the next directive or counsel.