Shloka 17
Irāvān-nidhana-anantaraṃ Ghaṭotkaca-nādaḥ
After Irāvān’s fall: Ghaṭotkaca’s roar and the clash with Duryodhana
हताश्चं तु रथं त्यक्त्वा दृष्टवा राज्ञोडस्य पौरुषम् विप्रदुद्राव वेगेन श्रुतायु: समरे तदा,रथके घोड़े मारे गये, यह देखकर तथा युद्धमें राजा युधिष्ठिरके पुरुषार्थका भी अवलोकन करके श्रुतायु उस समय बड़े वेगसे रथ छोड़कर भाग गया
sañjaya uvāca | hatāś ca tu rathaṃ tyaktvā dṛṣṭvā rājño yudhiṣṭhirasya pauruṣam | vipradudrāva vegena śrutāyuḥ samare tadā ||
Sanjaya said: When his horses had been slain, Śrutāyu abandoned his chariot; and, seeing the valor of King Yudhiṣṭhira in the battle, he fled at that time with great speed. The moment underscores how courage grounded in righteous resolve can break an opponent’s will, even amid the chaos of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Valor and steadfast resolve—especially when aligned with righteous kingship—can demoralize an adversary; in war, ethical leadership and visible courage often decide outcomes beyond mere weapons.
After his chariot-horses are killed, the warrior Śrutāyu abandons his chariot; seeing King Yudhiṣṭhira’s prowess on the battlefield, he flees swiftly.