Kīcaka-vadha-pratisaṃjñā: Rumor in Matsya and the Kaurava Scouts’ Report (कीचकवध-प्रतिसंज्ञा)
तां दृष्टवा पुरुषा राजन प्राद्रवन्त दिशो दश । गन्धर्वाणां भयत्रस्ता: केचिद् दृष्टवा न्न्यमीलयन्
tāṃ dṛṣṭvā puruṣā rājan prādravanta diśo daśa | gandharvāṇāṃ bhayatrastāḥ kecid dṛṣṭvā nyamīlayan ||
Ao vê-la, ó rei, os homens fugiram nas dez direções. Aterrorizados pelo temor aos Gandharvas, alguns, ao fitá-la, cerraram os olhos, vencidos pelo pavor.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Fear distorts perception and conduct: when people believe a superior or unseen force is present, they may abandon composure and discernment, reacting with flight or denial (even closing the eyes) rather than steady judgment.
Vaishampayana tells the king that, upon seeing a particular woman (tām), the men scattered in every direction; thinking of the Gandharvas and terrified, some even shut their eyes after looking, indicating sudden panic and helplessness.