Shloka 566
संचुकोच महाराज चर्मेवाग्नौ समाहितम् । महाराज! उस हाथीके द्वारा आलोडित होकर पाण्डवोंकी वह विशाल सेना आगपर रखे हुए चमड़ेकी भाँति संकुचित हो गयी
sañcukoca mahārāja carmevāgnau samāhitam |
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: O Maharaja, ang napakalaking hukbo ng mga Pāṇḍava, na ginulo at pinagpag ng pagsalakay ng elepanteng iyon, ay umurong at sumiksik—gaya ng balat na kumukulubot kapag inilapit sa apoy.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear and sudden shock can compress even a powerful force; ethical steadiness (dharma), training, and leadership are needed to prevent panic from overwhelming collective duty on the battlefield.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Pāṇḍava army, disturbed and battered by an elephant’s violent movement, recoils and bunches up, compared to leather shrinking when exposed to fire.