Shloka 583
भीमसेन-धृष्टद्युम्नयोर्वाक्यं
Bhīmasena and Dhṛṣṭadyumna’s Speeches on Kṣātra-Dharma
आरुरोह रथं चान्यं नन्न्दकस्य महात्मन: । राजेन्द्र! उस समय आपका पुत्र भीमसेनसे भयभीत हो पहले ही भागकर महामना नन््दकके रथपर जा बैठा था
āruroha rathaṃ cānyaṃ nandakasya mahātmanaḥ | rājendra! tadā tava putro 'pi bhīmasenād bhayabhītaḥ pūrvam eva palāyitvā mahāmanā nandakasya rathopari nyaviśat ||
Sañjaya said: “O best of kings, at that time your son too—terrified of Bhīmasena—fled in advance and mounted the chariot of the noble Nandaka.” The narration underscores how fear in battle can drive even princes to seek immediate refuge, revealing the moral pressure of war where courage, reputation, and survival collide.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear can overpower status and intent in the chaos of war; ethically, it contrasts the expected kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness with the human impulse to flee and seek protection, showing the inner cost of adharma-driven conflict.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son, frightened of Bhīma, ran away first and took refuge by mounting the chariot belonging to the noble Nandaka.