Shloka 40
अभिमन्यु–अलम्बुसयुद्धम् / The Duel of Abhimanyu and Alambusa
with Arjuna’s approach to Bhīṣma
विमुखांश्रैव तान् दृष्टवा द्रौणिचापच्युतै:शरै:
vimukhāṁś caiva tān dṛṣṭvā drauṇi-cāpa-cyutaiḥ śaraiḥ
Disse Sañjaya: Ao ver aqueles guerreiros voltarem-se para trás—atingidos por flechas disparadas do arco de Drauṇi—ele assinalou a retirada deles como um sinal visível da pressão do combate e da mudança de ânimo no campo, onde tanto a destreza quanto o medo levam os homens a abandonar a posição que haviam escolhido.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, inner resolve is tested by visible force: when struck by a powerful warrior’s arrows, even fighters may turn away. It implicitly contrasts steadfastness with wavering, a recurring ethical pressure-point within kṣatriya-dharma.
Sañjaya reports that certain warriors are seen turning away/retreating after being hit by arrows shot from Drauṇi’s bow, indicating Drauṇi’s effectiveness and a momentary shift in the battle’s momentum.