Shloka 453
Droṇasya raudra-prayogaḥ
Droṇa’s intensified assault and the Pāṇḍava response
व्यशीर्यत सपाञज्चाला वातेनेव बलाहका: । जैसे वायु बादलोंको उड़ाकर छिज्न-भिन्न कर देती है, उसी प्रकार द्रोणाचार्यके द्वारा क्षत-विक्षत हुई पांचालोंसहित पाण्डवोंकी विशाल सेना तितर-बितर हो गयी
vyaśīryata sapāñcālā vāteneva balāhakāḥ |
सञ्जय उवाच—वातेनेव बलाहकाः सपाञ्चालाः पाण्डवानां महती सेना द्रोणाचार्यप्रहारेण क्षतविक्षता व्यशीर्यत।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the fragility of collective strength: an army’s power depends on cohesion and morale, and overwhelming force can rapidly dissolve that unity—like wind dispersing clouds—reminding readers of the impermanence of worldly formations amid violence.
Sañjaya reports that Droṇācārya’s attack has grievously damaged the Pāṇḍava host along with their Pāñcāla allies, causing the large formation to break apart and scatter across the battlefield.