Shloka 12
Śālva’s Elephant Assault and the Counterstroke (शाल्वस्य नागारूढाभ्यवहारः)
तान् प्रभग्नान् द्रुतान् दृष्टवा हतोत्साहान् पराजितान् | अभ्यवर्तन्त पज्चाला: पाण्डवाश्ष जयैषिण:,उन्हें हतोत्साह, पराजित एवं हताश होकर भागते देख विजयकी अभिलाषा रखनेवाले पांचाल और पाण्डव उनका पीछा करने लगे
tān prabhagnān drutān dṛṣṭvā hatotsāhān parājitān | abhyavartanta pañcālāḥ pāṇḍavāś ca jayaiṣiṇaḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Melihat mereka hancur-berai dan melarikan diri—hilang semangat serta tewas kalah—orang Pañcāla dan para Pāṇḍava, yang mendambakan kemenangan, berpaling kembali ke arah mereka lalu mula mengejar.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a practical battlefield truth tied to kṣatriya-dharma: when an army loses resolve and breaks formation, defeat accelerates. Ethical reflection lies in how inner strength (utsāha) sustains duty, while collapse of morale leads to rout and vulnerability.
Sañjaya reports that the opposing troops have been routed and are fleeing. Observing this, the Pañcālas and the Pāṇḍavas—eager to secure victory—advance and pursue the retreating forces.