Shloka 2
Rajo-dhūli-saṃmūḍha-saṅgrāmaḥ
The Dust-Obscured Battle and Mutual Charges
सेनापतिं समाकर्ण्य श्वेतं युधि निपातितम् । तदर्थ यततां चापि परेषां प्रपलायिनाम्
senāpatiṁ samākarṇya śvetaṁ yudhi nipātitam | tadarthaṁ yatatāṁ cāpi pareṣāṁ prapalāyinām ||
سپہ سالار شویت کے جنگ میں گر پڑنے کی خبر سن کر، اور یہ بھی کہ اسی مقصد کے لیے کوشاں ہونے کے باوجود دوسرے لوگ دشمن کے سامنے سے بھاگ رہے تھے—(پھر آگے کیا ہوا؟)
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension in war between kṣatriya-duty (steadfastness under danger) and the human impulse to flee when leadership falls; the collapse of a commander can trigger moral and strategic disintegration in an army.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra asks about the consequences after hearing that Śveta, described as a commander, has been killed in battle and that the remaining fighters, despite their efforts, are retreating in panic.