Shloka 17
ते वध्यमाना: समरे पार्थचापच्युतै: शरै: । तत्र तत्र सम लीयन्ते भये जाते महारथा:,अर्जुनके धनुषसे छूटे हुए बाणोंद्वारा समरांगणमें मारे जाते हुए कौरव-महारथी भयके मारे इधर-उधर छिपने लगे
te vadhyamānāḥ samare pārthacāpacyutaiḥ śaraiḥ | tatra tatra sama līyante bhaye jāte mahārathāḥ ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Habang pinabubuwal sa labanan ng mga palasong pinakawalan mula sa busog ni Pārtha, ang mga dakilang mandirigmang Kaurava, nang sakmalin ng takot, ay nagsimulang magtago rito at doon. Ipinakikita ng tagpong ito na kahit ang mga bantog na mandirigma, kapag hinarap ng nakalalamang na galing, ay maaaring itaboy mula sa pagmamataas tungo sa sindak—at inilalantad ng digmaan ang marupok na panig ng loob.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the instability of worldly valor: reputation and rank (mahāratha status) can collapse into fear when confronted with superior force. In the ethical frame of the epic, it suggests that inner steadiness and righteous resolve matter as much as martial skill, and that war tests character by exposing panic, attachment to life, and the limits of pride.
Sañjaya reports that Arjuna’s arrows, shot from his bow, are cutting down the opposing champions. Overwhelmed, the Kaurava elite chariot-warriors begin to scatter and hide in different places on the battlefield, indicating a moment of tactical and psychological breakdown under Arjuna’s assault.