Shloka 17
ते वध्यमाना: समरे पार्थचापच्युतै: शरै: । तत्र तत्र सम लीयन्ते भये जाते महारथा:,अर्जुनके धनुषसे छूटे हुए बाणोंद्वारा समरांगणमें मारे जाते हुए कौरव-महारथी भयके मारे इधर-उधर छिपने लगे
te vadhyamānāḥ samare pārthacāpacyutaiḥ śaraiḥ | tatra tatra sama līyante bhaye jāte mahārathāḥ ||
サンジャヤは言った。パールタの弓から放たれた矢に戦場で討たれ、クル族の大車戦士たちは恐怖にとらわれ、あちらこちらへ身を隠し始めた。この場面は、名高い戦士でさえ圧倒的な武威の前には誇りから恐慌へと追い立てられうること、そして戦が人の道義の脆さを露わにすることを示している。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the instability of worldly valor: reputation and rank (mahāratha status) can collapse into fear when confronted with superior force. In the ethical frame of the epic, it suggests that inner steadiness and righteous resolve matter as much as martial skill, and that war tests character by exposing panic, attachment to life, and the limits of pride.
Sañjaya reports that Arjuna’s arrows, shot from his bow, are cutting down the opposing champions. Overwhelmed, the Kaurava elite chariot-warriors begin to scatter and hide in different places on the battlefield, indicating a moment of tactical and psychological breakdown under Arjuna’s assault.