Shloka 45
धृतराष्ट्र-संजय-संवादः — दुर्योधनस्य ह्रदप्रवेशः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Saṃjaya Dialogue: Duryodhana’s Entry into the Lake
धार्तराष्ट्रास्तत: सर्वे प्रायशो विमुखा भवन् । उस समय विजयसे उल्लसित होनेवाले पाण्डवोंने बड़े जोरसे सिंहनाद किया। इससे आपके सभी सैनिक प्राय: युद्धसे विमुख हो गये ।।
dhārtarāṣṭrās tataḥ sarve prāyaśo vimukhā abhavan | tān vai vimanaso dṛṣṭvā mādrīputraḥ pratāpavān ||
三阇耶说道：于是，持国之子几乎尽皆背离战阵。般度五子因胜利而欢腾，放声作狮子吼；此声一出，你方将士几乎都失却斗志，转而厌战。见他们意气消沉，摩德丽之勇子那俱罗察觉其动摇——这是在战争的道义与谋略重压之下，决心崩塌的不祥征兆。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how inner resolve (dhairya) is decisive in dharma-yuddha: when courage breaks, even a large force becomes ineffective. Ethical pressure and fear can cause a collective turning away from one’s chosen duty, revealing the fragility of adharma-driven motivation.
Sañjaya reports that the Kaurava side (Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s men) largely loses heart and turns away from fighting. The valiant Mādrī’s son, Nakula, observes their dejection, marking a moment where the Pandava momentum and Kaurava discouragement become visible on the battlefield.