Shloka 22
Adhyāya 86: Irāvān’s Lineage, Cavalry Clash, and the Māyā-Duel Ending in Irāvān’s Fall
तस्मिंस्तु पतिते भूमौ गतसत्त्वे तु सारथौ । रथ: प्रदुद्राव दिश: समुद्भ्रान्नहयस्तत:,सारथिके प्राणशून्य होकर पृथ्वीपर गिर जानेके पश्चात् उस रथके घोड़े घबराकर भागने लगे और इस प्रकार वह रथ सम्पूर्ण दिशाओंमें दौड़ने लगा
tasmiṁstu patite bhūmau gatasattve tu sārathau | rathaḥ pradudrāva diśaḥ samudbhrāntahayastataḥ ||
Sañjaya said: When the charioteer had fallen to the ground, his life-force gone, the horses—thrown into panic—bolted, and the chariot careened wildly, rushing about in all directions. The scene underscores how, in war, the loss of a single guiding agent can unleash disorder and danger for all who depend upon that guidance.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and practical importance of guidance and steadiness: when the one responsible for control and direction (the charioteer) is lost, dependent forces (the horses and chariot) fall into chaos, illustrating how leadership failure in war magnifies harm.
A charioteer has fallen lifeless onto the ground; immediately the horses become frightened and disoriented, causing the chariot to race uncontrollably in every direction.