Shloka 4
द्रोणपर्व — द्विनवति-तमोऽध्यायः
Sātyaki Pressed by Kauravas; Duryodhana and Kṛtavarmā Engagements
पाकशासनिनाभीक्षणं वध्यमाने शरोत्तमै: | नतत्र वक्चित् संग्रामे शशाकार्जुनमी क्षितुम्,संजयने कहा--निष्पाप नरेश! जब इन्द्रपुत्र अर्जुनने पूर्वोक्त प्रकारसे आपकी सेनाके वीरोंको मारकर उसे हतोत्साह एवं भागनेके लिये विवश कर दिया, सभी सैनिक पलायन करनेका ही अवसर देखने लगे तथा उनके ऊपर निरन्तर श्रेष्ठ बाणोंकी मार पड़ने लगी, उस समय वहाँ संग्राममें कोई भी अर्जुनकी ओर आँख उठाकर देख न सका
sañjaya uvāca | pākaśāsaninābhīkṣṇaṃ vadhyamāne śarottamaiḥ | na tatra kaścit saṅgrāme śaśākārjunam īkṣitum ||
Sañjaya said: As Arjuna, the son of Pākaśāsana (Indra), kept striking them again and again with excellent arrows, no one there in that battle had the courage to look upon Arjuna. The scene conveys the collapse of morale under overwhelming prowess: when fear and confusion seize an army, even the basic warrior duty of standing one’s ground and facing the opponent becomes impossible.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how overwhelming force can shatter collective resolve: when fear dominates, warriors fail even the minimal duty of facing the opponent. Ethically, it underscores the importance of steadiness (dhairya) and presence of mind in conflict, without which dharma-based action becomes impossible.
Sañjaya reports that Arjuna is repeatedly cutting down the opposing troops with superb arrows. The Kaurava soldiers are so pressured and demoralized that none can even raise their eyes to meet Arjuna on the battlefield.