Shloka 49
Cakravyūha-saṃkalpaḥ, Saṃśaptaka-āhvānaṃ, Saubhadra-vikrīḍitam
Drona Parva, Adhyāya 32
तेषामुत्पतितान् कांश्चित् पतितांश्व पराड़मुखान्
teṣām utpatitān kāṁścit patitāṁś ca parāṅmukhān
सञ्जय उवाच—तेषां योधानां केचिदुत्पतिताः पुनरदृश्यन्त, केचित् पतिताः पराङ्मुखा निपेतुः; यत्र शौर्यं च शैथिल्यं च युद्धे पर्यायेण दृश्यते, भयेन च शस्त्रधारिणोऽपि स्वधर्मं परित्यज्य पलायन्ते।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral tension in war: some regain resolve and re-enter combat, while others turn away in fear. Implicitly, it contrasts steadfastness in one’s duty (dharma) with the shame and disorder associated with fleeing (parāṅmukhatā) in a kṣatriya context.
Sañjaya reports the shifting condition of the fighters: amid the clash, certain warriors rise up again, whereas others have fallen or are seen turned away—suggesting retreat or rout—capturing the chaos and reversals typical of the Drona Parva battles.