Shloka 6
Kuru-Sainika-Āśvāsana and Vijayaghoṣaṇa
Reassuring the Kuru Soldiers; Proclaiming Victory
उपप्लवन्ति वित्रस्ता रथेभ्यो रथिनस्तथा । सादिनश्चाश्वपृछे भ्यो भूमौ चैव पदातय:
upaplavanti vitrastā rathebhyo rathinas tathā | sādinaś cāśvapṛṣṭhebhyo bhūmau caiva padātayaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: Aterrorizados, os guerreiros de carro saltaram de seus carros; os cavaleiros pularam das costas de seus cavalos; e os soldados de infantaria, já no chão, também se dispersaram em pânico—cada um fugindo para salvar a própria vida. A cena ressalta como o medo pode dissolver a ordem e a firmeza marcial quando a confiança e a proteção desabam.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the fragility of martial discipline: when fear overwhelms, even trained warriors abandon their stations. Ethically, it contrasts outward status (chariot-warrior, horseman, infantry) with the inner quality of steadiness (dhairya), implying that true strength is composure under threat.
A sudden surge of terror spreads through the troops. Chariot-fighters jump down from their chariots, cavalrymen spring off their horses, and the infantry scatter on foot—an image of a force breaking formation and fleeing in confusion.