Shloka 25
धृतराष्ट्रस्य क्रतु-प्रवर्तनम् तथा पाण्डवानां निमन्त्रण-प्रतिवचनम्
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Sacrifice Commences and the Pandavas’ Reply to the Invitation
ततः: सम्पीड्यमानास्ते बलेन महता तदा । प्राद्रवन्त रणे भीता ये च राजज्जिगीषव:,राजन! तदनन्तर गन्धर्वोकी विशाल सेनासे पीड़ित हो वे सभी योद्धा, जो पहले जीतनेका हौसला रखते थे, भयभीत हो युद्धसे भाग चले
tataḥ sampīḍyamānās te balena mahatā tadā | prādravanta raṇe bhītā ye ca rājajigīṣavaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then, pressed hard by that great force, those warriors—who had earlier been eager to win the king—became frightened in the battle and fled from the field. The episode underscores how confidence rooted merely in ambition collapses when confronted by overwhelming power, and how fear can swiftly overturn the resolve of would‑be conquerors.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Resolve based only on the desire to win (jigīṣā) is unstable; when confronted by superior strength, fear can overturn ambition. The verse implicitly contrasts mere conquest-seeking with steadier virtues like disciplined courage and duty-bound steadfastness.
A group of warriors, overwhelmed by a mighty opposing force, lose heart on the battlefield and flee, despite having previously been intent on victory over the king.