Shloka 32
अर्जुनस्य गुरुधर्मविलापः तथा शैनेयकर्णयोर्युद्धारम्भः | Arjuna’s Lament on Guru-Dharma and the Opening of the Sātyaki–Karṇa Duel
विव्याध सूत॑ निशितैश्नतुर्भिश्चतुरों हयान् सात्यकिं च त्रिभिविद्ध्वा पुनरष्टाभिरेव च,तब राजा दुर्योधनने तीन बाणोंसे सात्यकिके सारथिको और चार पैने बाणोंद्वारा उनके चारों घोड़ोंको घायल कर दिया। तत्पश्चात् सात्यकिको भी पहले तीन बाणोंसे बींधकर फिर आठ बाणोंद्वारा गहरी चोट पहुँचायी
sañjaya uvāca | vivyādha sūtaṃ niśitaiś caturbhiś caturaḥ hayān sātyakiṃ ca tribhir viddhvā punar aṣṭābhir eva ca |
Sañjaya said: With four sharp arrows the king struck Sātyaki’s charioteer, and with four more he wounded the four horses. Then, piercing Sātyaki first with three arrows and again with eight, he inflicted deep wounds. Thus, in the fierce code of chariot-war, Duryodhana sought to disable both the vehicle and the warrior, pressing the battle without respite.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the pragmatic, tactical side of kṣatriya warfare: disabling the chariot system (charioteer and horses) can be as decisive as directly wounding the warrior. Ethically, it reflects the relentless momentum of battle where skill and strategy often override compassion.
Sañjaya reports that Duryodhana shoots Sātyaki’s charioteer and horses with sharp arrows, then repeatedly pierces Sātyaki himself—first with three arrows and then with eight—causing severe injury and intensifying the duel.