Shloka 35
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 37: Sañjaya’s Account of Abhimanyu’s Precision Disruption of a Chariot Contingent
तं हि दृष्टवा तथा विद्ध॑ सौभद्रेण यशस्विना । सम्प्राद्रवच्चमू: सर्वा भारद्वाजस्य पश्यत:,यशस्वी सुभद्राकुमारके द्वारा घायल किये हुए शल्यको इस प्रकार भय हुआ देख द्रोणाचार्यके देखते-देखते उनकी सारी सेना रणभूमिसे भाग चली
taṁ hi dṛṣṭvā tathā viddhaṁ saubhadreṇa yaśasvinā | samprādravac camūḥ sarvā bhāradvājasya paśyataḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing Śalya thus struck by the illustrious son of Subhadrā, the entire army broke and fled in panic from the battlefield—this happening before the very eyes of Bhāradvāja’s son (Droṇācārya). The scene underscores how, in war, the fall or fear of a renowned champion can swiftly collapse collective morale and discipline, regardless of numbers.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and practical reality that collective conduct in war depends heavily on steadiness of mind and leadership; when a prominent warrior is seen terrified or incapacitated, fear spreads and discipline collapses, showing how inner resolve is as decisive as weaponry.
After Śalya is struck by Abhimanyu (Saubhadra), the Kaurava host, seeing Śalya’s fearful condition, flees the battlefield en masse—this occurs even as Droṇācārya looks on.