Shloka 44
अद्रीणां भिद्यमानानामन्तरिक्षे शितै: शरै: । शब्देन प्राद्रवन् संख्ये रथाश्वगजपत्तय:,आकाशकमें तीखे बाणोंद्वारा टूटने-फ़ूटनेवाले प्रस्तर-खण्डोंके शब्दसे भयभीत हो रथ, घोड़े, हाथी और पैदल सैनिक युद्धस्थलमें इधर-उधर भागने लगे
sañjaya uvāca | adrīṇāṁ bhidyamānānām antarīkṣe śitaiḥ śaraiḥ | śabdena prādravan saṅkhye rathāśvagajapattayaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: As sharp arrows split the rocky masses in mid-air, the crashing sound of those shattering stones spread terror; and on the battlefield charioteers, horsemen, elephant-corps, and foot-soldiers broke ranks and ran in all directions. The verse underscores how war’s violence and noise can dissolve discipline and courage, driving even trained forces into panic.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a moral-psychological truth of warfare: overwhelming violence and terrifying sensory impact (especially sound and spectacle) can erode discipline and resolve, causing even organized forces to lose steadiness and act from fear rather than duty.
Sañjaya describes a moment in the battle where sharp arrows shatter rocky masses in the air; the loud crashing sound frightens the troops, and chariot units, cavalry, elephant corps, and infantry scatter and flee across the battlefield.