Shloka 45
भूरिश्रवसः गर्हा, प्रायोपवेशः, सात्यकिकृतशिरच्छेदः
Bhūriśravas’s Censure, Prāyopaveśa, and Sātyaki’s Beheading
प्रेक्षतां सर्वसैन्यानां मध्येन शिनिपुड्भव: । अभ्यागाद्वाहिनीं हित्वा वृत्रहेवासुरी चमूम्,जैसे वृत्रनाशक इन्द्र असुरोंकी सेनाको लाँधकर जा रहे हों, उसी प्रकार शिनिप्रवर सात्यकि सम्पूर्ण सैनिकोंके देखते-देखते उनके बीचसे होकर उस सेनाका परित्याग करके चल दिये। उस कौरव-सेनामें सैकड़ों क्षत्रिय-शिरोमणियोंने भयानक रक्तकी धारा बहा दी थी। वहाँ हाथी, घोड़े तथा रथ खचाखच भरे हुए थे और खड्ग, शक्ति एवं धनुष सब ओर व्याप्त थे
sañjaya uvāca | prekṣatāṁ sarvasainyānāṁ madhyena śinipuḍbhavaḥ | abhyāgād vāhinīṁ hitvā vṛtrahevāsurīṁ camūm ||
Sañjaya said: While all the armies looked on, the descendant of Śini (Sātyaki) advanced through their very midst. Leaving that battle-line behind, he moved on—like Indra, the slayer of Vṛtra, breaking past the host of the Asuras.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfast courage and decisive action in the midst of collective chaos. Ethically, it reflects the tension of kṣatriya-dharma: a warrior’s duty to act with resolve even when war’s violence is overwhelming, while the Indra–Vṛtra simile frames valor as a force that can pierce seemingly impenetrable opposition.
Sañjaya describes Sātyaki moving straight through the center of the watching armies, leaving one battle-formation and pressing onward. His advance is compared to Indra, famed for slaying Vṛtra, breaking through the Asuras’ host—emphasizing speed, fearlessness, and battlefield dominance.