Shloka 24
संचचाल बलं॑ सर्व पलायनपरायणम् । सुभद्राकुमार अभिमन्युके द्वारा वीर अश्मक-राजकुमारके मारे जानेपर सारी सेना विचलित हो भागने लगी ।। तत:ः कर्ण: कृपो द्रोणो द्रौणिगान्धारराट्शल:
sañcacāla balaṁ sarvaṁ palāyanaparāyaṇam | subhadrākumāra abhimanyuke dvārā vīra aśmaka-rājakumārasya māre jāne para sārī senā vicalita ho bhāgane lagī || tataḥ karṇaḥ kṛpaḥ droṇo drauṇi-gāndhāra-rāṭ-śalyaḥ
Sañjaya said: The entire host began to waver, turning its mind toward flight. When the heroic prince of Aśmaka was slain by Abhimanyu, the son of Subhadrā, the whole army was shaken and started to run. Then Karṇa, Kṛpa, Droṇa, Droṇa’s son (Aśvatthāmā), the king of Gāndhāra, and Śalya (came forward/are named as those who responded). The passage underscores how, in war, the fall of a single renowned warrior can collapse morale and tempt even disciplined forces toward panic—testing steadiness, duty, and leadership amid chaos.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how quickly collective resolve can collapse when fear spreads, and how leaders are tested to uphold duty (dharma) amid panic. It implicitly contrasts steadiness and responsibility with the impulse to flee when circumstances turn adverse.
After Abhimanyu slays the valiant prince of Aśmaka, the opposing army becomes shaken and begins to run. Sañjaya then names prominent Kaurava-side warriors—Karna, Kṛpa, Droṇa, Aśvatthāmā, Śakuni, and Śalya—indicating those who respond in the aftermath of the rout.