Shloka 57
ते वध्यमाना: समरे युयुधानेन तावका: । युयुधानरथं त्यक्त्वा द्रोणानीकाय दुद्गरुवु:,समरांगणमें युयुधानकी मार खाते हुए आपके सैनिक उनके रथको छोड़कर द्रोणाचार्यकी सेनाकी ओर भाग गये
te vadhyamānāḥ samare yuyudhānena tāvakāḥ | yuyudhāna-rathaṃ tyaktvā droṇānīkāya dudruvuḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Struck down in the thick of battle by Yuyudhāna, your soldiers abandoned Yuyudhāna’s chariot and fled toward Droṇa’s battle-formation. The verse underscores how fear and the instinct to survive can overwhelm resolve in war, even among trained warriors, and how the momentum of a single formidable fighter can break an opposing line.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the fragility of battlefield resolve: when confronted by overwhelming force, even disciplined troops may abandon positions and seek safety. Ethically, it points to the tension between kṣatriya ideals of steadfastness and the human impulse to flee when death feels imminent.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Yuyudhāna (Sātyaki) is cutting down the Kaurava soldiers. Under his assault, they leave behind Yuyudhāna’s chariot area and run toward Droṇa’s forces, seeking protection within Droṇa’s battle-array.