Mahabharata 1.175.41 — Adi Parva, Adhyaya 175, Shloka 41
पाण्डवानां पाञ्चालगमनम्
The Pāṇḍavas’ Journey toward Pāñcāla and News of the Svayaṃvara
उस समय अस्त्र-शस्त्रोंकी भारी वर्षसे घायल होकर विश्वामित्रकी सेनाके पाँव उखड़ गये और उनके सामने ही वे सभी योद्धा भयभीत हो सब ओर भाग चले
tadā astrāśastra-vṛṣṭyā bhṛśaṃ viddhā viśvāmitrasya senā pādāḥ pracyutāḥ | tasya purata eva te sarve yoddhā bhayabhītā diśo diśaḥ prādravan |
Kemudian, dihentam oleh hujan anak panah dan senjata yang lebat, bala Viśvāmitra hilang pijakan lalu pecah barisan. Di depan matanya sendiri, semua pahlawan itu—dikuasai ketakutan—berlari lari bertempiaran ke segala arah.
गन्धर्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights a moral-psychological truth of warfare: when fear overwhelms discipline, even a strong army collapses. It implicitly contrasts steadfastness and leadership with panic-driven flight, reminding that courage and order are essential to uphold kṣātra-dharma in crisis.
A fierce barrage of missiles and weapons wounds and destabilizes Viśvāmitra’s forces. In full view of Viśvāmitra, the warriors lose formation and flee in all directions, indicating a decisive moment of rout.
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