Shloka 26
द्रोणपर्व — अध्याय १८: संशप्तकगणयुद्धे अर्जुनस्यास्त्रप्रयोगः
Drona Parva, Chapter 18: Arjuna’s astra-deployment against the Saṃśaptakas
ते वध्यमाना: पार्थेन शरै: संनतपर्वभि: । अमुहांस्तत्र तत्रैव त्रस्ता मृगगणा इव
te vadhyamānāḥ pārthena śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ | amuhyāṃs tatra tatraiva trastā mṛgagaṇā iva ||
ते वध्यमानाः पार्थेन शरैः सन्नतपर्वभिः । अमुह्यंस्तत्र तत्रैव त्रस्ता मृगगणा इव ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the psychological truth of war: even trained fighters can be reduced to confusion and terror when faced with overwhelming, precise force. It implicitly contrasts disciplined skill (Arjuna’s well-made arrows and mastery) with the collapse of composure in those who lose steadiness of mind.
Sañjaya describes Arjuna (Pārtha) striking the opposing warriors with expertly crafted arrows. Under this assault they become bewildered and flee or scatter in many directions, compared to deer herds startled and stampeding in fear.