Mahabharata 3.232.653 — Vana Parva, Adhyaya 232, Shloka 653
Duryodhana’s Śaraṇāgati and the Pāṇḍavas’ Resolve
Gandharva Encounter
दानवैरर्दितं सैन्यं देवानां विमुखं बभौ । बहुत-से योद्धा
dāna vair arditaṃ sainyaṃ devānāṃ vimukhaṃ babhau |
Mārkaṇḍeya berkata: “Tentera para dewa, dihimpit dan dihancurkan oleh para Dānava, berpaling daripada pertempuran. Ramai pahlawan, gajah dan kuda ditebas rebah; tidak terbilang senjata dan bahkan rata-rata besar dipecahkan menjadi serpihan. Demikianlah, di bawah serangan para asura, bala devas hilang semangat lalu berundur—menunjukkan bahawa ketakutan dan kekacauan mampu meruntuhkan kekuatan yang gagah apabila keteguhan dan azam yang benar tidak dipelihara.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a powerful side can falter when overwhelmed by fear and confusion; steadfastness (dhairya) and disciplined resolve are essential for sustaining dharma in the midst of violence and adversity.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes a battlefield reversal: the Dānavas devastate the devas’ forces—slaying fighters and animals and smashing weapons and chariots—so the gods’ army turns away from combat and retreats.
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