Shloka 31
Adhyāya 86: Irāvān’s Lineage, Cavalry Clash, and the Māyā-Duel Ending in Irāvān’s Fall
निवत्तेषु तु पाण्डूनां पुन: सैन्येषु भारत । आसीज्निष्ठानको घोरस्तव सैन्यस्य संयुगे,भारत! जब पाण्डवोंकी सेनाएँ पुनः युद्धभूमिमें लौट आयीं, तब उस युद्ध क्षेत्रमें आपकी सेनाके भीतर घोर हाहाकार होने लगा
nivṛtteṣu tu pāṇḍūnāṃ punaḥ sainyeṣu bhārata | āsīj jiṣṭhānako ghoras tava sainyasya saṃyuge ||
Sañjaya said: “But when the Pāṇḍavas, having withdrawn, returned again with their forces, O Bhārata, a dreadful uproar and confusion arose within your army in the thick of battle.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how quickly morale shifts in war: when a seemingly checked opponent regroups and returns, fear and disorder can arise even in a large force. Ethically, it underscores the instability of power based only on force and the importance of steadiness (dhairya) and disciplined leadership amid conflict.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that after the Pāṇḍavas had withdrawn and then returned again with their troops, a terrible commotion broke out within the Kaurava ranks on the battlefield.