Shloka 21
Śaineya–Bhūriśravas: Genealogy, Svayaṃvara Contest, and the Maheśvara Boon
अनासाद्य तु शैनेयं सा शक्ति: कालसंनिभा । भित्त्वा रथं जगामोग्रा धरणीं दारुणस्वना,वह कालके समान विकराल शक्ति सात्यकितक न पहुँचकर उनके रथको विदीर्ण करके भयंकर शब्द करती हुई पृथ्वीमें समा गयी
anāsādya tu śaineyaṁ sā śaktiḥ kālasaṁnibhā | bhittvā rathaṁ jagāmogrā dharaṇīṁ dāruṇasvanā ||
Sañjaya sprach: Jener schreckliche Speer, dem Tod selbst gleich, traf Śaineya (Sātyaki) nicht; vielmehr durchbohrte er seinen Wagen und fuhr, unter furchtbarem Dröhnen, in die Erde.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the unpredictability of outcomes in war: even a weapon likened to Death may miss its intended victim, yet still cause collateral destruction. Ethically, it points to how violence spreads beyond the target, damaging supports (like the chariot) and intensifying the tragedy of battle.
A fearsome spear (śakti), described as death-like, is hurled at Śaineya (Sātyaki). It does not strike him; instead it pierces his chariot and then, making a terrible sound, plunges into the earth.