Shloka 583
भीमसेन-धृष्टद्युम्नयोर्वाक्यं
Bhīmasena and Dhṛṣṭadyumna’s Speeches on Kṣātra-Dharma
आरुरोह रथं चान्यं नन्न्दकस्य महात्मन: । राजेन्द्र! उस समय आपका पुत्र भीमसेनसे भयभीत हो पहले ही भागकर महामना नन््दकके रथपर जा बैठा था
āruroha rathaṃ cānyaṃ nandakasya mahātmanaḥ | rājendra! tadā tava putro 'pi bhīmasenād bhayabhītaḥ pūrvam eva palāyitvā mahāmanā nandakasya rathopari nyaviśat ||
स महात्मनः नन्दकस्य रथमन्यमारुरोह। राजेन्द्र, तदा तव पुत्रोऽपि भीमसेनभयात् पूर्वमेव पलायित्वा महात्मनः नन्दकस्य रथे समारूढवान्।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear can overpower status and intent in the chaos of war; ethically, it contrasts the expected kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness with the human impulse to flee and seek protection, showing the inner cost of adharma-driven conflict.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son, frightened of Bhīma, ran away first and took refuge by mounting the chariot belonging to the noble Nandaka.