Shloka 433
Śiva’s Battlefield Manifestation and Vyāsa’s Śatarudrīya Exposition (शिवप्रादुर्भावः शतरुद्रीयव्याख्यानम्)
सम्भ्रान्ता: पर्यधावन्त तस्मिंस्तमसि दारुणे | कुछ लोग अपने वाहनोंको समरांगणमें ही छोड़कर भाग चले। दूसरे लोग उन्हें तेजीसे हॉँकते हुए भागे और कितने ही सैनिक भ्रान्त होकर उस दारुण अन्धकारमें चारों ओर चक्कर काटते रहे
sambhrāntāḥ paryadhāvanta tasmiṃs tamasi dāruṇe |
सञ्जय उवाच— तस्मिन् दारुणे तमसि सम्भ्रान्ताः पर्यधावन्त। केचिद् रथान् वाहान् च समराङ्गणे परित्यज्य पलायन्त; केचिद् तान् वेगेन प्रचोदयन्तोऽपययुः; बहवश्च मोहिता दिग्भ्रान्ता अन्धकारे तस्मिन् परितो भ्रमन्ति स्म॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how tamas—darkness and confusion—can overtake even trained warriors, causing loss of self-control and abandonment of duty. Ethically, it underscores the need for steadiness (dhairya) and clarity of mind in crisis, since fear can quickly erode discipline and dharma.
Sañjaya describes a moment on the battlefield when a dreadful darkness spreads. Soldiers become disoriented: some leave their vehicles behind and flee, others drive away in haste, and many run in circles, unable to find direction.