Shloka 97
Śaineya’s Breakthrough and Reunion with Arjuna (शैनेयस्य समागमः)
शिखण्डिनं तथा ज्ञात्वा हार्दिक्यदशरपीडितम् । अपोवाह रणाद यन्ता त्वरमाणो महारथम्,महारथी शिखण्डीको कृतवर्माके बाणोंसे पीड़ित जान सारथि बड़ी उतावलीके साथ उसे रणभूमिसे बाहर ले गया
śikhaṇḍinaṃ tathā jñātvā hārdikyadaśarāpīḍitam | apovāha raṇād yantā tvaramāṇo mahāratham ||
Sañjaya said: Recognizing that Śikhaṇḍin had been sorely afflicted by the volleys of Kṛtavarman (the son of Hṛdīka), the charioteer, in great haste, drove that great warrior away from the battlefield.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in war, duty includes discernment and protection: when a warrior is overwhelmed, withdrawing him can be a responsible act aligned with preserving life and future capacity, and it highlights the charioteer’s role as a guardian and strategist, not merely a driver.
Śikhaṇḍin is heavily wounded/pressed by Kṛtavarman’s arrow-barrage; seeing this, Śikhaṇḍin’s charioteer quickly drives him away from the battlefield to safety.