Shloka 373
भीमसेनस्य वेगाभिपातः—विशोकसारथिसंवादश्च
Bhīma’s surge and dialogue with charioteer Viśoka
पार्थोड्पयात: शीघ्रं वै विहाय महतीं चमूम् । आर्य! द्रोनपुत्रके बाणोंसे आच्छादित हो कुन्तीकुमार युधिष्ठिर उस समय अपनी विशाल सेनाको छोड़कर शीघ्र ही वहाँसे पलायन कर गये
pārtho 'payātaḥ śīghraṃ vai vihāya mahatīṃ camūm | ārya! droṇaputrake bāṇaiḥ ācchāditaḥ kunṭīkumāro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ tadā tāṃ mahāsenāṃ parityajya tasmāt sthānāt śīghram apākrāmat ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “Arjuna withdrew swiftly, abandoning the great army. O noble one, at that time Kuntī’s son Yudhiṣṭhira—covered by the arrows of Droṇa’s son—left his vast host behind and quickly fled from that place.”
(युधिष्टिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral tension in war: even righteous leaders may be forced into tactical withdrawal when overwhelmed. It invites reflection on dharma as practical discernment—preserving life and regrouping can be a duty when continuing would mean futile destruction.
In the heat of battle, Arjuna departs quickly, leaving the main host. Yudhiṣṭhira describes himself as being showered and covered by Aśvatthāmā’s arrows, and in that pressured moment he abandons the large army formation and retreats from the spot.