Shloka 12
Adhyāya 61: Saṃmohana-astra and the Kuru Withdrawal (संमोहनास्त्रं तथा कुरुनिवृत्तिः)
अवसीदन्ति मे प्राणा भूरियं चलतीव च । नच प्रतोदं रश्मींश्व॒ संयन्तुं शक्तिरस्ति मे
avasīdanti me prāṇā bhūriyaṃ calatīva ca | na ca pratodaṃ raśmīṃś ca saṃyantuṃ śaktir asti me ||
وَیشَمپایَن نے کہا—میری جان کی قوت ڈھل رہی ہے اور یہ زمین بھی گویا لرز رہی ہے۔ اس وقت مجھ میں اتنی طاقت نہیں کہ لگام اور چابک سنبھال کر گھوڑوں کو قابو میں رکھ سکوں۔
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how intense fear or shock can collapse one’s practical capacity (śakti) even for routine duties; it also frames trembling of the earth as an ominous sign, reminding that inner steadiness is essential for responsible action, especially in moments that demand control and restraint.
A speaker (reported by Vaiśampāyana) describes being overwhelmed—life-forces failing and the earth seeming to shake—so that he cannot manage the reins and whip to control the horses, signaling a sudden crisis during a tense chariot-related situation.