Shloka 13
उत्तरो जयमावेदयति—विराटस्य हर्षः, द्यूतनिषेधः
Uttara’s Victory Report—Virāṭa’s Rejoicing and the Counsel Against Gambling
सर्वे शान्तिपरा योधा: स्वचित्तानि न लेभिरे | संग्रामे विमुखा: सर्वे योधास्ते हतचेतस:,सबने शान्ति (जडता और मूकता) धारण कर ली थी। किसीका होश ठिकाने न था। सभी योद्धाओंने हतोत्साह होकर युद्धसे मुँह मोड़ लिया
sarve śāntiparā yodhāḥ svacittāni na lebhire | saṅgrāme vimukhāḥ sarve yodhās te hatacetasaḥ ||
Disse Vaiśampāyana: Todos os guerreiros caíram num silêncio atônito; não conseguiam recuperar a compostura. Desalentados e com a mente abalada, cada um daqueles combatentes voltou as costas à batalha.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that in war, moral and emotional shock can overwhelm even capable warriors; when the mind is struck down (hatacetasaḥ), one’s capacity to act according to role and duty collapses into silence and withdrawal.
The narrator describes a moment on the battlefield where all the fighters become stunned and quiet, unable to steady their minds, and collectively turn away from combat due to loss of courage and resolve.