Shloka 11
Adhyāya 74 (Book 6, Bhīṣma-parva): Bhīma–Duryodhana re-engagement and afternoon escalation
समुत्पतन्ति वित्रस्ता रथेभ्यो रथिनस्तथा । सादिनश्चाश्वपृछठे भ्यो भूमी चापि पदातय:
samutpatanti vitrastā rathebhyo rathinas tathā | sādinaś cāśvapṛṣṭhebhyo bhūmīṃ cāpi padātayaḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Dilanda panik, para pahlawan berkereta melompat lalu terjatuh dari kereta; para penunggang kuda jatuh dari belakang kuda; dan bahkan askar berjalan kaki pun rebah, berguling di atas tanah.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear (bhaya) can overpower training and duty, breaking cohesion and judgment in war; it implicitly contrasts steadiness and self-control with panic that leads to collapse.
Sañjaya describes a sudden wave of terror on the battlefield: chariot-fighters fall from chariots, horsemen from horses, and infantry collapse on the ground, indicating widespread disarray.