Shloka 9
द्रोणपर्व — अध्याय १८: संशप्तकगणयुद्धे अर्जुनस्यास्त्रप्रयोगः
Drona Parva, Chapter 18: Arjuna’s astra-deployment against the Saṃśaptakas
तेन शब्देन वित्रस्ता संशप्तकवरूथिनी । विचेष्टावस्थिता संख्ये हश्मसारमयी यथा,उस शंखनादसे भयभीत हो वह संशप्तक-सेना युद्धभूमिमें लोहेकी प्रतिमाके समान निश्चेष्ठट खड़ी हो गयी
tena śabdena vitrastā saṁśaptaka-varūthinī | viceṣṭāv asthitā saṅkhye haimasāramayī yathā ||
Dikejutkan oleh laungan itu, barisan tempur Saṁśaptaka berdiri di tengah pertempuran tanpa bergerak sedikit pun—bagaikan patung yang dicor daripada logam padu.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even warriors bound by fierce vows can be overcome by sudden fear when confronted with an overwhelming signal of power; the verse highlights the ethical and psychological strain of kṣatriya-duty, where steadfastness must contend with human vulnerability.
Sañjaya reports that, upon hearing a tremendous sound (a war-cry or conch-like blast), the Saṁśaptaka formation becomes frightened and stands frozen on the battlefield, compared to a rigid metal statue.