Chapter 23: Śakuni Reports, Kaurava Advance, and Arjuna’s Penetration of the Host
निवृत्ता: सहसा योधास्तव पुत्रजयैषिण: । संनिवृत्तेषु तेष्वेवं युद्धभासीत् सुदारुणम्,यह देख आपके पुत्रकी विजय चाहनेवाले योद्धा सहसा लौट पड़े। इस प्रकार उनके लौटनेपर उन सबमें अत्यन्त भयंकर युद्ध होने लगा
sañjaya uvāca | nivṛttāḥ sahasā yodhās tava putra-jayaiṣiṇaḥ | saṃnivṛtteṣu teṣv evaṃ yuddham āsīt sudāruṇam ||
یہ دیکھ کر تمہارے بیٹے کی فتح کے خواہاں جنگجو اچانک پلٹ آئے۔ جب وہ یوں واپس جمع ہوئے تو وہاں نہایت ہی ہولناک جنگ بھڑک اٹھی۔
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights how attachment to a partisan outcome—here, the craving for the prince’s victory—can intensify violence and cloud judgment. It implicitly contrasts impulsive zeal with steadiness and discernment, showing how desire-driven action can escalate conflict into something 'sudāruṇa' (most dreadful).
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that the Kaurava fighters, intent on securing his son’s victory, abruptly turned back (regrouped/returned), and as a result the combat surged into an exceptionally fierce and terrifying engagement.