Shloka 34
अर्जुनस्य गुरुधर्मविलापः तथा शैनेयकर्णयोर्युद्धारम्भः | Arjuna’s Lament on Guru-Dharma and the Opening of the Sātyaki–Karṇa Duel
दुःसह: पठचदशभिर्विव्याधोरसि सात्यकिम् | उत्स्मयन् वृष्णिशार्दटूलस्तथा बाणै: समाहतः
Duḥsahaḥ pañcādaśabhir vivyādhorasi Sātyakim | utsmayan Vṛṣṇiśārdūlas tathā bāṇaiḥ samāhataḥ ||
Sañjaya sprach: Duḥsaha durchbohrte Sātyaki in der Brust mit fünfzehn Pfeilen. Doch jener Tiger unter den Vṛṣṇis lächelte und wurde gleichwohl von Salven von Geschossen getroffen — ein Bild der düsteren Standhaftigkeit von Kriegern, die selbst verwundet im Gedränge der Schlacht nicht weichen.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness: even when grievously wounded, a warrior maintains composure and resolve. Sātyaki’s smile signals inner firmness and refusal to be shaken by pain or fear amid righteous duty in battle.
Sañjaya reports that Duḥsaha shoots Sātyaki in the chest with fifteen arrows. Sātyaki—praised as a ‘tiger among the Vṛṣṇis’—remains smiling despite being struck by many arrows, emphasizing the intensity of the combat and his unbroken spirit.