Shloka 28
कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ५९
Arjuna Breaks the Encirclement; Bhīma Reinforces
एते द्रवन्ति रथिनस्त्वदीया: पाण्डुनन्दन । पश्य पश्य यथा पार्थ गच्छन्त्येते महारथा:,'पाण्डुनन्दन! ये तुम्हारे रथी भागे जा रहे हैं। पार्थ! देखो, देखो, ये महारथी भी कैसे खिसके जा रहे हैं
ete dravanti rathinastvadīyāḥ pāṇḍunandana | paśya paśya yathā pārtha gacchantyete mahārathāḥ ||
पांडुनंदना! तुझे रथी पळत आहेत। पार्था! पाहा, पाहा—हे महारथीही कसे मागे सरकत चालले आहेत।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and practical burden of leadership in war: a commander must face the reality of fear and retreat among even elite fighters, and respond with steadiness, strategy, and adherence to kṣatriya-dharma rather than denial or panic.
Sañjaya reports to the Kuru side that the Pāṇḍava-aligned chariot-warriors are fleeing; he urgently calls attention—addressing Yudhiṣṭhira as ‘Pāṇḍunandana’ and Arjuna as ‘Pārtha’—that even renowned mahārathas are pulling back in the battle.