Shloka 56

Devanagari script

तथैवं वदतस्तस्य भारद्वाजस्य सारथे: । प्रत्यदृश्यत शैनेयो निध्नन्‌ बहुविधान्‌ रथात्‌,द्रोणाचार्यका सारथि जब इस प्रकार कह रहा था, उसी समय शिनिनन्दन सात्यकि बहुतेरे रथियोंका संहार करते दिखायी दिये

Transliteration

tathaivaṁ vadatas tasya bhāradvājasya sārathēḥ | pratyadṛśyata śaineyo nighnan bahuvidhān rathāt |

Translation

Sañjaya said: While the charioteer of Bhāradvāja’s son (Droṇa) was speaking in this manner, Śaineya Sātyaki came into view, striking down many kinds of chariot-warriors.

Word by Word

तथाthus, in that manner

एवम्just so, in this way

वदतःof (him) speaking

तस्यof him

भारद्वाजस्यof Bhāradvāja (Droṇa)

सारथेःof the charioteer

प्रत्यदृश्यतappeared, was seen

शैनेयःŚaineya (Sātyaki)

निघ्नन्slaying, striking down

बहुविधान्many kinds of, various

रथात्from the chariot

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

Sañjaya

Droṇa (Bhāradvāja’s son)

Droṇa’s charioteer (sārathi)

Sātyaki (Śaineya, descendant of Śini)

ratha (chariot)

rathin (chariot-warriors, implied)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the immediacy of karmic consequence in war: words of command or counsel do not pause the battlefield’s moral gravity. Action—especially lethal action—unfolds instantly, reminding the listener that in a dharma-conflict, decisions and their outcomes are inseparable and swift.

What is happening in the narrative?

As Droṇa’s charioteer is speaking, Sātyaki (Śaineya) suddenly becomes visible on the battlefield, actively cutting down many chariot-warriors. The narration shifts from speech to a vivid sight of Sātyaki’s ongoing assault.