Shloka 27
सम्भ्रान्तनरनागाश्चवमावर्तत मुहुर्मुहु: । तत् सैन्यमिषुभिस्तेन वध्यमानं समन्ततः,सात्यकिके बाणोंद्वारा सब ओरसे मारी जाती हुई आपकी सेनाके पैदल, हाथी और घोड़े सभी घबरा गये और बारंबार चक्कर काटने लगे
sambhrāntanaranāgāś ca vamāvartata muhur muhuḥ | tat sainyam iṣubhis tena vadhyamānaṃ samantataḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Struck with panic, the foot-soldiers and the elephants (and the rest of the host) wheeled about again and again. Hemmed in on every side and being cut down by his arrows, your army fell into confusion, circling helplessly under Sātyaki’s assault.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a recurring ethical reality of war in the Mahābhārata: when violence escalates, even a large force can lose composure and dharmic steadiness. Martial skill (here Sātyaki’s archery) affects not only bodies but also morale, showing how fear and confusion spread and undermine disciplined conduct.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Sātyaki is striking the Kaurava host from all sides with arrows. Under this pressure, the troops—especially infantry and war-elephants—become terrified and repeatedly wheel around, unable to hold formation.