Shloka 33
Adhyāya 107 — बहुयुद्धप्रकरणम्
Multiple Defensive Engagements to Protect Bhīṣma
तामापतन्तीं सहसा मृत्युकल्पां सुदुर्जयाम् । व्यंसयामास वार्ष्णेयो लाघवेन महायशा:,वार्ष्णेयस्तु ततो राजन् स््वां शक्ति कनकप्रभाम् । वेगवद् गृहा चिक्षेप पितामहरथं प्रति राजन! तब सात्यकिने भी अपनी सुनहरी प्रभावाली शक्ति लेकर उसे भीष्मके रथपर बड़े वेगसे चलाया
tām āpatantīṃ sahasā mṛtyukalpāṃ sudurjayām | vyaṃsayām āsa vārṣṇeyo lāghavena mahāyaśāḥ || vārṣṇeyas tu tato rājan svāṃ śaktiṃ kanakaprabhām | vegavad gṛhya cikṣepa pitāmaharathaṃ prati ||
Sañjaya said: As that weapon came rushing in all at once—terrible as death itself and seemingly impossible to withstand—the illustrious Vārṣṇeya (Sātyaki) swiftly struck it aside with agile skill. Then, O King, Vārṣṇeya seized his own spear, radiant like gold, and hurled it with great force straight toward the chariot of the Grandsire (Bhīṣma).
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in practice: presence of mind under mortal threat, disciplined agility (lāghava), and decisive action. Ethically, it portrays valor and duty in battle without moralizing—showing how warriors respond to lethal danger with skill and resolve.
Sātyaki (called Vārṣṇeya) first deflects a deadly incoming weapon. Immediately afterward, he takes up his own golden-bright spear (śakti) and hurls it at Bhīṣma’s chariot, escalating the exchange in the Kurukṣetra battle.