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Shloka 76

धृतराष्ट्र-संजय-संवादः — सात्यकि-अलम्बुसयोर्युद्धवर्णनम्

Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Saṃjaya Dialogue; Account of Sātyaki vs Alambusa

सप्त वीरान्‌ महेष्वासानग्रानीकेष्वपोथयत्‌ । उस सेनाके छिलन्न-भिन्न होते ही शिनिके महारथी पौत्रने सेनाके मुहानेपर खड़े हुए सात महाधनुर्धर वीरोंको मार गिराया

sapta vīrān maheṣvāsān agrānīkeṣv apothayat |

Sañjaya sprach: Als die vordersten Reihen des Heeres zerschnitten und zerschmettert wurden, stand der Enkel Śinis—ein großer Wagenkämpfer—unerschütterlich am eigentlichen Eingang der Schlachtordnung und streckte sieben der vornehmsten Helden nieder, mächtige Bogenschützen, die die Vorhut führten. Die Szene betont den erbarmungslosen Schwung der Schlacht, in der Führung und Tapferkeit unter dem ethischen Gewicht massenhaften Tötens geprüft werden.

सप्तseven
सप्त:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootसप्त
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural
वीरान्heroes/warriors
वीरान्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootवीर
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural
महेष्वासान्great bowmen
महेष्वासान्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootमहेष्वास
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural
अग्रानीकेषुin the vanguard/front ranks
अग्रानीकेषु:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootअग्रानीक
FormMasculine, Locative, Plural
अपोथयत्struck down/overthrew
अपोथयत्:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootअप-उथ् (उथ्/उत्था)
FormImperfect (Laṅ), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

संजय उवाच

S
Sañjaya
Ś
Śini (ancestor, referenced by lineage)
Ś
Śini’s grandson (Śini-pautra; commonly identified as Sātyaki)
S
seven great archers (unnamed)

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights the severe demands of kṣatriya-dharma in wartime: a leader must hold the line and act decisively, yet the narrative also invites reflection on the moral gravity of victory achieved through widespread killing.

As the army’s forward ranks are being torn apart, Śini’s grandson (commonly Sātyaki) positions himself at the front opening of the formation and kills seven prominent, mighty bowmen who were leading the vanguard.