Shloka 21
धृतराष्ट्र-संजय-संवादः — सात्यकि-अलम्बुसयोर्युद्धवर्णनम्
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Saṃjaya Dialogue; Account of Sātyaki vs Alambusa
ततस्तेनैव मार्गेण येन यातो धनंजय: । इयेष सात्यकिर्गन्तुं ततो द्रोणेन वारित:,तदनन्तर जिस मार्गसे अर्जुन गये, उसीसे सात्यकिने भी जानेका विचार किया; परंतु द्रोणाचार्यने उन्हें रोक दिया
tatas tenaiva mārgeṇa yena yāto dhanañjayaḥ | iyeṣa sātyakir gantuṃ tato droṇena vāritaḥ ||
Then, by that very route along which Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) had gone, Sātyaki resolved to proceed as well; but at that moment Droṇa stopped him. The verse highlights how, in the press of war, even a righteous intention to follow and support an ally is constrained by the opposing commander’s strategic duty and power.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores a wartime ethical tension: loyalty and the impulse to aid one’s ally (Sātyaki following Arjuna) meet the opposing commander’s obligation to defend his side through strategic restraint (Droṇa preventing him). Dharma in battle often appears as competing duties enacted through action and counteraction.
Sañjaya reports that after Arjuna has gone along a particular route, Sātyaki decides to take the same path to follow him; however, Droṇa intervenes and blocks Sātyaki from proceeding.