Shloka 12
कुण्जरै: स्यन्दना: क्षुण्णा: सादिनश्न महारथै: । पदातिसंघाश्षा श्वौचै: पलायद्िर्भयार्दितै:,भयभीत होकर भागते हुए हाथियोंने रथोंको चकनाचूर कर दिया। विशाल रथपर बैठे हुए महारथियोंने घुड़सवारोंको कुचल दिया और अश्वसमुदायोंने पैदलसमूहोंके कचूमर निकाल दिये
sañjaya uvāca | kuñjaraiḥ syandanāḥ kṣuṇṇāḥ sādinaś ca mahārathaiḥ | padātisaṅghāś cāśvaiḥ palāyadbhir bhayārditaiḥ ||
Sanjaya said: In the panic of flight, elephants crushed chariots to pieces; great chariot-warriors trampled down the horsemen; and terrified horses, bolting in fear, mangled the masses of foot-soldiers. Thus, in the chaos of battle, fear itself became a weapon, turning each arm of the army against the other and multiplying destruction beyond deliberate intent.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear and disorder in war magnify suffering: once panic spreads, even one’s own forces become instruments of harm. It implicitly warns that violence, when unleashed, easily escapes control and produces unintended, indiscriminate destruction.
Sanjaya describes a battlefield stampede: elephants smash chariots, elite chariot-warriors crush cavalry, and frightened horses, fleeing, trample infantry. The scene conveys a breakdown of formation and command amid intense fighting.