Shloka 57
इन्द्रजिद्-लक्ष्मणयुद्धम्
Indrajit and Lakṣmaṇa: Escalation through Concealment
पलायनकृतोत्साह: प्राद्रवद् येन वै वनम् । सैन्धवं त्वभिसम्प्रेक्ष्य पराक्रान्तं पलायने
palāyanakṛtotsāhaḥ prādravad yena vai vanam | saindhavaṃ tv abhisamprekṣya parākrāntaṃ palāyane
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは語った。逃走にのみ心を奮い立たせた彼は、森へと走り去った。だが信度の王子（ジャヤドラタ）がすでに逃げに転じているのを見て、事は卑怯な退却を追う追撃へと変わった。恐れに駆られた逃亡は、この叙事詩の道徳の秩序において、恥辱と報復を招くことを示している。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores an epic ethic: fear-based flight (palāyana) is not merely tactical withdrawal but a moral failing that invites dishonor and pursuit; courage and accountability are expected, especially of a kṣatriya.
A figure runs into the forest with the intention of escaping; upon noticing the Sindhu prince (Jayadratha) also moving to flee, the scene frames a chase and the unraveling of the offender’s attempt to evade consequences.