Shloka 12
स त्वमद्य रणं हित्वा भीतो हर्षयसे परान् । विद्रुते त्वयि सैन्यस्य नायके शरत्रुसूदन
sa tvam adya raṇaṁ hitvā bhīto harṣayase parān | vidrute tvayi sainyasya nāyake śaratrusūdana ||
Sañjaya said: “But today, abandoning the battlefield in fear, you are giving joy to the enemy. When you—the leader of the army, O slayer of foes—have fled, the host is thrown into rout.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse stresses the ethical burden of leadership in war: a commander’s fear-driven withdrawal does not remain personal—it demoralizes one’s own side and strengthens the enemy. Courage and steadfastness are presented as duties tied to one’s role (nāyaka) and responsibility for collective welfare.
Sañjaya rebukes a warrior addressed as “śaratrusūdana,” accusing him of abandoning the fight out of fear. Because the army’s leader has fled, the troops are also in flight, and the opposing side is encouraged and delighted.