अध्याय १ — न्यग्रोधवनोपवेशनम् तथा द्रौणिनिश्चयः
Night at the Banyan and Drauṇi’s Resolve
विमुच्य वाहांस्त्वरिता भीता समभवंस्तदा । गहन देशमासाद्य प्रच्छन्ना न्यविशन्त ते
vimucya vāhāṁs tvaritā bhītā samabhavaṁs tadā | gahana-deśam āsādya pracchannā nyaviśanta te ||
विमुच्य वाहांस्त्वरिता भीता समभवंस्तदा । गहन देशमासाद्य प्रच्छन्ना न्यविशन्त ते ॥
संजय उवाच
The verse underscores how fear and uncertainty can drive people to secrecy and flight after violent conflict. It implicitly contrasts the chaos of adharma-driven war with the need for steadiness and discernment; when moral order collapses, even warriors may resort to concealment and panic.
A group (contextually, survivors/warriors) quickly releases their mounts and withdraws into a dense forest area. They hide and sit there, worried that enemies might track them down.