Shloka 426
Śiva’s Battlefield Manifestation and Vyāsa’s Śatarudrīya Exposition (शिवप्रादुर्भावः शतरुद्रीयव्याख्यानम्)
प्रदुद्राव दिश: सर्वा वीक्षमाणं भयार्दितम् । भरतश्रेष्ठ उस समय रात्रिमें अर्जुनद्वारा मारी जाती हुई आपकी सेना भयसे पीड़ित हो सम्पूर्ण दिशाओंकी ओर देखती हुई भाग चली
pradudrāva diśaḥ sarvā vīkṣamāṇaṃ bhayārditam |
サञ्जयは言った。「恐怖に打たれた軍勢は、安全を求めて四方を見回し、ついに崩れてあらゆる方角へ逃げ散った。夜の闇の中、アルジュナが彼らを討ち続けると、恐慌が全軍を呑み込み、隊伍の秩序は絶望的な潰走へと崩れ落ちた。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear (bhaya) dissolves discipline and discernment in war: when courage and cohesion fail, even a large force collapses into flight. Ethically, it underscores the inner battle—mastery over fear is crucial for sustaining kṣatriya duty and right conduct under crisis.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that during the night fighting, Arjuna’s assault throws the Kaurava troops into panic. They look around in all directions for escape and flee, indicating a breakdown of formation and morale.