Shloka 17
Irāvān-nidhana-anantaraṃ Ghaṭotkaca-nādaḥ
After Irāvān’s fall: Ghaṭotkaca’s roar and the clash with Duryodhana
हताश्चं तु रथं त्यक्त्वा दृष्टवा राज्ञोडस्य पौरुषम् विप्रदुद्राव वेगेन श्रुतायु: समरे तदा
sañjaya uvāca | hatāś ca tu rathaṃ tyaktvā dṛṣṭvā rājño yudhiṣṭhirasya pauruṣam | vipradudrāva vegena śrutāyuḥ samare tadā ||
Sañjaya berkata: Apabila kuda-kudanya telah dibunuh, Śrutāyu meninggalkan keretanya; dan setelah melihat keberanian Raja Yudhiṣṭhira di medan perang, dia melarikan diri pada saat itu dengan sangat pantas.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Valor and steadfast resolve—especially when aligned with righteous kingship—can demoralize an adversary; in war, ethical leadership and visible courage often decide outcomes beyond mere weapons.
After his chariot-horses are killed, the warrior Śrutāyu abandons his chariot; seeing King Yudhiṣṭhira’s prowess on the battlefield, he flees swiftly.