Adhyāya 108 — Nimitta-darśana and Drona’s counsel amid Arjuna’s advance (निमित्तदर्शनं द्रोणोपदेशश्च)
वेगवद्धिर्हयैस्तैस्तु क्षोभिता पाण्डवी चमू: । निपतद्/िर्महावेगैहसैरिव महत् सर:
vegavaddhir hayais tais tu kṣobhitā pāṇḍavī camūḥ | nipatadbhir mahāvegair haṃsair iva mahat saraḥ ||
Disse Sañjaya: Impelido por aqueles cavalos velozes, o exército dos Pāṇḍava foi lançado em tumulto—como um grande lago revolvido e agitado quando cisnes, voando a grande velocidade, descem sobre suas águas.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights a practical ethical insight of war-narrative: collective force and speed can destabilize even a righteous or well-ordered side; therefore leaders must cultivate steadiness, discipline, and preparedness so that sudden shocks do not turn into panic and needless harm.
Sañjaya describes the Pāṇḍava forces being violently disturbed by a rapid assault associated with swift horses; he illustrates the scene through a simile—like swans plunging into a large lake and churning its waters.