Shloka 426
Śiva’s Battlefield Manifestation and Vyāsa’s Śatarudrīya Exposition (शिवप्रादुर्भावः शतरुद्रीयव्याख्यानम्)
प्रदुद्राव दिश: सर्वा वीक्षमाणं भयार्दितम् । भरतश्रेष्ठ उस समय रात्रिमें अर्जुनद्वारा मारी जाती हुई आपकी सेना भयसे पीड़ित हो सम्पूर्ण दिशाओंकी ओर देखती हुई भाग चली
pradudrāva diśaḥ sarvā vīkṣamāṇaṃ bhayārditam |
सञ्जय उवाच— तदा रात्रौ पार्थेन निहन्यमाना तव सेना भयार्दिता सर्वा दिशः वीक्षमाणा प्रदुद्राव। भरतश्रेष्ठ, त्राससमाविष्टा सा सर्वतो भङ्गमुपागमत्॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear (bhaya) dissolves discipline and discernment in war: when courage and cohesion fail, even a large force collapses into flight. Ethically, it underscores the inner battle—mastery over fear is crucial for sustaining kṣatriya duty and right conduct under crisis.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that during the night fighting, Arjuna’s assault throws the Kaurava troops into panic. They look around in all directions for escape and flee, indicating a breakdown of formation and morale.