Shloka 13
Kīcaka-vadha-pratisaṃjñā: Rumor in Matsya and the Kaurava Scouts’ Report (कीचकवध-प्रतिसंज्ञा)
तां दृष्टवा पुरुषा राजन प्राद्रवन्त दिशो दश । गन्धर्वाणां भयत्रस्ता: केचिद् दृष्टवा न्न्यमीलयन्
tāṃ dṛṣṭvā puruṣā rājan prādravanta diśo daśa | gandharvāṇāṃ bhayatrastāḥ kecid dṛṣṭvā nyamīlayan ||
Wahai Raja, tatkala mereka melihatnya, para lelaki pun lari bertempiaran ke sepuluh penjuru. Digentarkan oleh ketakutan terhadap para Gandharva, ada yang setelah memandang terus memejamkan mata—diliputi gementar.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Fear distorts perception and conduct: when people believe a superior or unseen force is present, they may abandon composure and discernment, reacting with flight or denial (even closing the eyes) rather than steady judgment.
Vaishampayana tells the king that, upon seeing a particular woman (tām), the men scattered in every direction; thinking of the Gandharvas and terrified, some even shut their eyes after looking, indicating sudden panic and helplessness.