Shloka 18
Sudeva Identifies Damayantī in Cedi (सुदेवेन दमयन्ती-परिचयः)
एवमेवाभिभाषणन्तो विद्रवन्ति भयात् तदा । पुनरेवाभिधास्यामि चिन्तयध्वं सुकातरा:,कोई कहता--'ऐ कायरो! मैं फिर तुमसे बात करूँगा, अभी अपनी रक्षाकी चिन्ता करो।' इस तरहकी बातें करते हुए सब लोग भयसे भाग रहे थे
evam evābhibhāṣaṇanto vidravanti bhayāt tadā | punar evābhidhāsyāmi cintayadhvaṃ sukātarāḥ ||
Thus, while exchanging such words, they fled in fear at that moment. ‘I will speak to you again,’ (one would say); ‘for now, you timid ones, think only of your own protection.’ The scene underscores how panic and self-preservation can overtake resolve, and how harsh speech often accompanies fear-driven flight.
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Fear can collapse courage and distort speech: in moments of panic people prioritize self-protection, lash out with harsh words, and abandon steadiness. The verse implicitly contrasts fear-driven impulse with the ethical ideal of composure and responsibility.
Bṛhadaśva describes a chaotic moment where people, talking in this manner—‘I’ll speak later; for now, you cowards, look to your safety’—are simultaneously fleeing in fear.