Shloka 273
Chapter 30: Formation Disruption, Competing War-Cries, and Nīla’s Fall
Droṇa-parva
अपायाज्जवनैरश्वै: शकुनि: प्राकृतो यथा । तब मायाओंका नाश हो जानेपर अर्जुनके बाणोंसे आहत एवं भयभीत होकर शकुनि अधम मनुष्योंकी भाँति तेज चलनेवाले घोड़ोंके द्वारा भाग खड़ा हुआ
sañjaya uvāca | apāyāj javanair aśvaiḥ śakuniḥ prākṛto yathā |
サンジャヤは言った。「その幻策が滅び去るや、シャクニはアルジュナの矢に射られて恐怖に囚われ、疾駆する馬に乗って逃げ去った。まるで策が破れれば走り去る卑しい凡人のようであった。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts deceptive strategy (māyā) with steadfast courage: when cunning is exposed and fails, the deceitful lose composure and flee. Ethically, it implies that inner strength and righteous resolve endure, while adharma-based tactics collapse under pressure.
After Śakuni’s tricks are neutralized, he is wounded by Arjuna’s arrows and becomes frightened. He withdraws from the fight, escaping quickly in his chariot drawn by swift horses, likened to a low or ordinary man who runs away.