Shloka 72
अध्याय ८० — मध्यंदिन-रणवृत्तान्तः
Yudhiṣṭhira–Śrutāyu encounter; Cekitāna–Gautama clash; Abhimanyu pressure; Arjuna’s redeployment
तत: सरथनागाश्वा समकम्पत वाहिनी । पश्यतो भीमसेनस्य पार्षतस्य च पश्यत:,तदनन्तर भीमसेन और धृष्टद्युम्नके देखते-देखते रथ, हाथी और घुड़सवारोंसहित सारी पाण्डव-सेना काँपने लगी
tataḥ sa-ratha-nāgāśvā samakampata vāhinī | paśyato bhīmasenasya pārṣatasya ca paśyataḥ ||
Disse Sañjaya: Então, diante dos próprios olhos de Bhīmasena e de Pārṣata (Dhṛṣṭadyumna), o exército dos Pāṇḍava começou a tremer—carros, elefantes e cavalaria sacudiram-se juntos.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a key ethical and practical lesson of war: collective strength depends on steadiness of mind. Even a well-equipped force—chariots, elephants, and cavalry—can falter if fear spreads. Kṣatriya-dharma therefore demands not only weapons and numbers but also disciplined courage and leadership that stabilizes morale.
Sañjaya reports that the Pāṇḍava host begins to shake and lose composure, with all its major divisions affected, and this occurs openly in the sight of Bhīma and Dhṛṣṭadyumna (Pārṣata). The line marks a moment of sudden battlefield agitation, suggesting the impact of an opposing assault or a terrifying display of power.