Shloka 24
भीमस्य जलान्वेषणं तथा वनविश्रान्तिः
Bhīma’s Search for Water and the Forest Halt
सबालवृद्धास्ते पौरा: कौरवानभ्यायुस्तदा । श्र॒ुत्वा सुतुमुलं युद्ध कौरवानेव भारत
sabālavṛddhās te paurāḥ kauravān abhyāyus tadā | śrutvā sutumulaṃ yuddhaṃ kauravān eva bhārata ||
毗舍波耶那说道：当时城中百姓——无论孩童还是老者——都奔出城来迎击俱卢族（Kaurava）。噢，婆罗多后裔（阇那美阇耶），一听闻那边正爆发激烈喧腾的大战，俱卢军便陷入混乱与失序。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how war’s disturbance spreads to the entire polity: when conflict erupts, even ordinary citizens—across generations—feel compelled to act. It implicitly warns that adharma in leadership and warfare destabilizes society, drawing the innocent into danger and eroding normal civic life.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that, upon hearing of a violent and chaotic battle, the townspeople (including children and elders) surge forward against the Kauravas. The report of ‘tumultuous war’ signals panic and mobilization, suggesting the Kaurava side is being pressured or thrown into confusion.