Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 44
Nakula’s Engagement with Citra-sena and Karṇa’s Sons; Śalya Re-stabilizes the Kaurava Host
हाहाकारो महाउ्जज्ञे योधानां तव भारत । तिष्ठ तिछेति चाप्यासीद् द्रावितानां महात्मनाम्
hāhākāro mahān jajñe yodhānāṃ tava bhārata | tiṣṭha tiṣṭheti cāpy āsīd drāvitānāṃ mahātmanām ||
Sañjaya disse: «Ó Bhārata, ergueu-se um grande clamor de alarme entre teus guerreiros. E, atrás dos que haviam sido postos em fuga, ouviam-se os heróis pândavas, de alma elevada, bradando: “Parai! Parai!”»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral and psychological contrast in war: panic and disorder arise when resolve collapses, while the opposing side’s call to ‘stand and face’ evokes the kṣatriya ideal of not fleeing from battle. It implicitly critiques flight from duty and underscores steadfastness under pressure.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Kaurava troops have been thrown into confusion and are fleeing, creating a loud uproar. The Pāṇḍava heroes, pursuing them, shout ‘Stand! Stand!’—urging the routed warriors to halt and fight rather than run.