Adhyāya 86: Irāvān’s Lineage, Cavalry Clash, and the Māyā-Duel Ending in Irāvān’s Fall
तस्मिंस्तु पतिते भूमौ गतसत्त्वे तु सारथौ । रथ: प्रदुद्राव दिश: समुद्भ्रान्नहयस्तत:
tasmiṁstu patite bhūmau gatasattve tu sārathau | rathaḥ pradudrāva diśaḥ samudbhrāntahayastataḥ ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: Nang bumagsak sa lupa ang tagapagmaneho, wala nang hininga, ang mga kabayo’y nasindak at kumaripas; kaya ang karwahe’y umalpas at nagpagala-gala, humahagibis sa lahat ng dako.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights the ethical and practical importance of guidance and steadiness: when the one responsible for control and direction (the charioteer) is lost, dependent forces (the horses and chariot) fall into chaos, illustrating how leadership failure in war magnifies harm.
A charioteer has fallen lifeless onto the ground; immediately the horses become frightened and disoriented, causing the chariot to race uncontrollably in every direction.