Shloka 27
Adhyāya 74 (Book 6, Bhīṣma-parva): Bhīma–Duryodhana re-engagement and afternoon escalation
प्रमोह: सर्वसत्त्वानामतीव समपद्यत । रजसा चाभिशभूतानामस्त्रजालै श्व॒ तुद्यताम्,उस समय समस्त प्राणियोंपर बड़ा भारी मोह छा गया; क्योंकि वे धूलसे तो दबे ही थे, अस्त्रोंके समुदायसे भी पीड़ित हो रहे थे
sañjaya uvāca | pramohaḥ sarvasattvānām atīva samapadyata | rajasā cābhiśabhūtānām astrajālaiś ca tudyatām ||
Санджая сказал: На всех живых существ снизошло глубокое помрачение. Придавленные пылью и со всех сторон терзаемые сетью оружия, они были поражаемы и мучимы в хаосе битвы — так что ясность, различение и стройность поведения померкли под насилием войны.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how war generates moha—collective confusion and loss of discernment—through sensory overwhelm (dust, noise, missiles). Ethically, it underscores that violence clouds judgment and makes right conduct difficult, reminding the listener that clarity and restraint are precious and easily lost amid conflict.
Sañjaya describes the battlefield at a moment of intense fighting: dust rises everywhere and volleys of weapons crisscross like a net. Under this pressure, all creatures present become disoriented and distressed as they are struck and hemmed in by the onslaught.