Shloka 666
अजिशीर्षे प्रातःसंध्यायां संग्रामवर्णनम् / Dawn-Transition Battle at Ajiśīrṣa
Chapter 161
धनंजयशरैनुन्ना: प्राद्रवन्त दिशो दश । भरतश्रेष्ठ! राधापुत्र कर्णको पराजित हुआ देख आपके सैनिक अर्जुनके बाणोंसे पीड़ित हो दसों दिशाओंमें भाग चले
sañjaya uvāca | dhanañjaya-śarair unnāḥ prādravanta diśo daśa | bharataśreṣṭha! rādhāputraṃ karṇaṃ ca parājitaṃ dṛṣṭvā tava sainikā arjunasya bāṇaiḥ pīḍitā daśa diśaḥ prādravan |
सञ्जय उवाच—धनञ्जयशरैरुन्नाः प्राद्रवन्त दिशो दश। भरतश्रेष्ठ! राधापुत्रं कर्णं पराजितं दृष्ट्वा तव सैन्यं शरपीडितं सर्वतो विद्रुतं बभूव॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a recurring ethical reality of war: collective courage often depends on exemplary leaders. When a principal warrior is seen defeated, fear spreads rapidly, discipline collapses, and many abandon their duty—showing how inner steadiness and righteous resolve are as decisive as weapons.
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that Arjuna’s arrows have thrown the Kaurava troops into panic. Seeing Karna (Radha’s son) defeated, the soldiers—wounded and overwhelmed—scatter and flee in all directions.