Shloka 446
Bhūriśravas–Sātyaki Saṃvāda and Duel; Arjuna’s Intervention (भूरिश्रवाः–सात्यकि संवादः, युद्धम्, अर्जुन-हस्तक्षेपः)
अभ्यगाद् धरणीं घोर: श्वसन्निव महोरग: । फुफकारते हुए महान् सर्पके समान वह भयंकर तोमर उस महासमरमें सात्यकिकी बायीं भुजाको विदीर्ण करता हुआ धरतीमें समा गया
abhyagād dharaṇīṃ ghoraḥ śvasann iva mahoragaḥ |
Sañjaya said: The dreadful tomara, hissing like a mighty serpent, tore through Sātyaki’s left arm amid that vast clash of arms and then sank into the earth.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the harsh reality of righteous war: even exemplary warriors are wounded, and steadfastness amid pain becomes a measure of inner discipline. It also uses vivid imagery to show how violence, once unleashed, moves with a life of its own, testing one’s adherence to dharma under extreme pressure.
In the midst of the great battle, a fearsome tomara (heavy spear) strikes Sātyaki, tearing his left arm, and then plunges into the ground. Sañjaya reports this with a serpent-like simile to emphasize the weapon’s terrifying force and motion.