Shloka 643
Duryodhana’s Śaraṇāgati and the Pāṇḍavas’ Resolve
Gandharva Encounter
क्षणेन व्यद्रवत् सर्व विमुखं चाप्यदृश्यत । शिलाखण्ड, शतष्नी (तोप), प्रास, खड्ग, परिघ और गदाओंके लगातार प्रहार हो रहे थे। इन भयंकर महान् अस्त्रोंकी मारसे देवताओंकी सारी सेना क्षणभरमें (पीठ दिखाकर) भाग चली। सारे सैनिक युद्धसे विमुख दिखायी देते थे
kṣaṇena vyadravat sarvaṃ vimukhaṃ cāpyadṛśyata |
马尔坎德耶说道：“顷刻之间，全军溃散奔逃，分明可见皆转面背战。石块碎片、如雷霆般的飞射、长矛、利剑、铁棍与巨槌的连番打击不曾停歇——这些可怖的大兵器重重加身，天军立时背向战场而逃，尽显厌战之态。”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even mighty forces can collapse when struck by overwhelming violence; the episode underscores the instability of worldly power and the ethical tension in war—courage and duty are praised, yet fear and retreat are shown as real human (and even divine) reactions under extreme assault.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes a sudden rout: continuous strikes from heavy and dreadful weapons cause the gods’ army to turn its back and flee, appearing disengaged from the battle.