Shloka 163
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 155 — Ghaṭotkaca-nidhana-śoka and Karṇa-śakti-vyaya
Kṛṣṇa’s strategic reassurance
पर्यधावन्त पञ्चाला वध्यमाना महात्मना | महामनस्वी दुर्योधनकी मार खाकर पांचाल सैनिक इधर-उधर भागने लगे। अब वे पलायन करनेमें उत्साह दिखा रहे थे। उनमें शत्रुओंको जीतनेका उत्साह नहीं रह गया था
sañjaya uvāca | paryadhāvanta pañcālā vadhyamānā mahātmanā |
Sañjaya berkata: Para pahlawan Pāñcāla, sedang ditewaskan oleh wira yang berjiwa besar itu, berlari berselerak ke segala arah. Dipukul oleh kekuatan dan tekad Duryodhana, semangat mereka condong kepada pelarian, bukan lagi kepada kemenangan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the fragility of morale in war: when overwhelmed by a powerful opponent, even seasoned fighters may abandon the aim of victory and turn to self-preservation. It implicitly contrasts steadfast kṣatriya resolve with the ethical and psychological collapse that mass slaughter can trigger.
Sañjaya reports that the Pāñcāla troops are being heavily slain by a formidable warrior and therefore scatter and flee. The accompanying sense is that Duryodhana’s onslaught has broken their will to fight, replacing the drive to conquer enemies with eagerness to escape.