Shloka 63
Chapter 51: Saṃdhyākāla-saṃhāra
Evening Withdrawal after Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
ततो हलहलाशब्दस्तव सैन्येषु भारत । दृष्टवा सेनापतिं तूर्ण यान्तं शल्यरथं प्रति,भारत! तब सेनापति श्वेतको शीघ्रतापूर्वक शल्यके रथकी ओर जाते देख आपकी सेनाओंमें हाहाकार मच गया
tato halahalāśabdas tava sainyeṣu bhārata | dṛṣṭvā senāpatiṁ tūrṇaṁ yāntaṁ śalyarathaṁ prati ||
Disse Sañjaya: Então, ó Bhārata, ao verem o comandante Śveta apressar-se velozmente em direção ao carro de Śalya, ergueu-se em tuas forças um grande clamor de alarme.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and psychological dimension of warfare: armies are not moved only by weapons but by confidence, fear, and the perceived stability of leadership. Dependence on a single commander makes morale vulnerable; steadiness in one’s duty (dharma) is tested when sudden movements signal danger.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that an alarmed uproar spread through the Kaurava ranks when they saw their commander quickly advancing toward Śalya’s chariot—an action interpreted as a critical, risky engagement that could change the battle’s course.