Adhyāya 21 — Duryodhanasya bāṇavarṣaḥ
Duryodhana’s Arrow-Storm and the Dust-Obscured Engagements
निकृत्तं तद् धनुः श्रेष्ठमपास्य शिनिपुज्भव: । अन्यदादत्त वेगेन शैनेय: सशरं धनु:,उस कटे हुए श्रेष्ठ धनुषको फेंककर शिनिप्रवर सात्यकिने बाणसहित दूसरे धनुषको वेगपूर्वक हाथमें ले लिया
nikṛttaṃ tad dhanuḥ śreṣṭham apāsya śinipuṅgavaḥ | anyad ādatta vegena śaineyaḥ saśaraṃ dhanuḥ ||
Sañjaya sprach: Den vortrefflichen, zerschnittenen Bogen von sich werfend, ergriff Śaineya — Sātyaki, der Vornehmste aus dem Geschlecht der Śini — mit Schwung einen anderen Bogen, bereits mit Pfeilen versehen.
संजय उवाच
In crisis, a disciplined warrior does not collapse into grief or rage; he adapts immediately and continues his appointed duty. The verse highlights steadiness of mind and preparedness as ethical strengths in the chaos of battle.
Sātyaki’s excellent bow has been cut. He throws it away and, without delay, takes up another bow already equipped with arrows, showing his quick response and continued engagement in the fight.