Shloka 48
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 95 — Sātyaki’s Breakthrough and the Routing of Allied Contingents
शरैश्ष॒ शतशो विद्धास्ते संघा गिरिचारिण: । प्राद्रवन्त रणे भीता गिरिगह्वदरवासिन:,उस समय पर्वतोंपर विचरने और पर्वतीय कन्दराओंमें निवास करनेवाले सैकड़ों म्लेच्छ-संघ अर्जुनके बाणोंसे विद्ध एवं भयभीत हो रणभूमिसे भागने लगे
śaraiḥ śataśo viddhās te saṅghā giricāriṇaḥ | prādravanta raṇe bhītā girigahvaravāsinaḥ ||
サンジャヤは言った。山を駆け、岩窟や谷間に住む戦士の群れは、アルジュナの矢に百々と貫かれ、恐怖に呑まれて戦場から逃げ去った。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a recurring ethical reality of war: when violence becomes overwhelming, fear can dissolve collective resolve, leading groups to abandon the fight. It implicitly contrasts steadfastness in one’s duty with panic-driven flight.
Sañjaya reports that mountain-dwelling bands (described as roaming the hills and living in caves) are struck repeatedly by Arjuna’s arrows and, terrified, flee from the battlefield.