Mahabharata (Gita Press) 3.21.26 - Vana Parva, Adhyaya 21, Shloka 26
Dvārakā’s Distress and the Saubha Engagement (द्वारकाव्यग्रता तथा सौभयुद्धम्)
ततो हाहाकृतं सर्व सैन्यं मे गतचेतनम् । मां दृष्टवा रथनीडस्थं गतासुमिव भारत,भारत! फिर तो मुझे रथके पिछले भागमें प्राणरहितके समान पड़ा देख मेरी सारी सेना हाहाकार कर उठी। सबकी चेतना लुप्त-सी हो गयी
tato hāhākṛtaṃ sarvaṃ sainyaṃ me gatacetanam | māṃ dṛṣṭvā rathanīḍasthaṃ gatāsum iva bhārata ||
Тогда всё моё войско подняло крик тревоги; казалось, чувства оставили их. О Бхарата, увидев меня на задней части колесницы, лежащим словно бездыханным, они были поражены ужасом и смятением.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how quickly collective morale collapses when leadership appears fallen. In a dharmic-ethical frame, it warns that a leader’s visible condition affects the steadiness (dhṛti) and order of those who depend on him, and that panic can spread faster than reason in crisis.
Vāyudeva recounts a moment when he was seen lying in the rear of a chariot as if lifeless. On seeing this, his entire army erupted in cries of alarm and became stunned, momentarily losing composure and coordination.
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