Shloka 37
अध्याय ८८ — घटोत्कच-दुर्योधनयुद्धवर्णनम्
Ghaṭotkaca–Duryodhana Engagement
अफक्रान्तास्तुमुले सम्प्रमर्दे सुदारुणे भारत मोहनीये । अमूढचेतास्त्वथ चित्रसेनो महागदामापतत्तीं निरीक्ष्य,यमदण्डके समान भयंकर उस गदाको उठी हुई देख समस्त कौरव आपके पुत्रको वहीं छोड़कर गदाके उग्र आघातसे बचनेके लिये चारों ओर भाग गये। भारत! मोहमें डालनेवाले उस अत्यन्त दारुण एवं भयंकर जनसंहारमें उस महागदाको आती देख केवल चित्रसेनका चित्त किंकर्तव्यविमूढ़ नहीं हुआ था
sañjaya uvāca |
afakrāntās tumule sampramarde sudāruṇe bhārata mohanīye |
amūḍhacetas tv atha citraseno mahāgadām āpatattīṃ nirīkṣya ||
Sañjaya said: In that bewildering slaughter of the Bhāratas—fierce, tumultuous, and exceedingly dreadful—when the great mace came rushing in, terrible as Yama’s staff, all the Kauravas, abandoning your son on the spot, scattered in every direction to escape its violent blow. Only Citrasena’s mind did not fall into confusion at the sight of that onrushing mighty mace.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the chaos of war, most minds succumb to fear and confusion, leading to abandonment and disorder; steadiness of mind (amūḍhacetas) becomes a mark of true martial composure and ethical agency, because clear perception is the prerequisite for responsible action even amid violence.
During a brutal melee, a terrifying great mace surges forward like Yama’s staff. The Kaurava fighters panic and scatter, leaving Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son behind, while Citrasena alone remains unbewildered at the sight of the incoming weapon.