Shloka 40
अभिमन्यु–अलम्बुसयुद्धम् / The Duel of Abhimanyu and Alambusa
with Arjuna’s approach to Bhīṣma
विमुखांश्रैव तान् दृष्टवा द्रौणिचापच्युतै:शरै:
vimukhāṁś caiva tān dṛṣṭvā drauṇi-cāpa-cyutaiḥ śaraiḥ
Sañjaya berkata: Melihat para pahlawan itu berpaling—dipanah oleh anak panah yang dilepaskan dari busur Drauṇi—dia mencatat pengunduran mereka sebagai tanda nyata tekanan pertempuran dan perubahan semangat di medan, tempat keperkasaan dan ketakutan sama-sama menggerakkan manusia meninggalkan pendirian yang dipilihnya.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, inner resolve is tested by visible force: when struck by a powerful warrior’s arrows, even fighters may turn away. It implicitly contrasts steadfastness with wavering, a recurring ethical pressure-point within kṣatriya-dharma.
Sañjaya reports that certain warriors are seen turning away/retreating after being hit by arrows shot from Drauṇi’s bow, indicating Drauṇi’s effectiveness and a momentary shift in the battle’s momentum.