Shloka 22
Adhyāya 143: Nocturnal duels—Nākuli and Citraseṇa; Vṛṣasena’s assault; Duḥśāsana vs Prativindhya
कुरुसैन्याद् विमुक्तो वै सिंहो मध्याद् गवामिव । निहत्य बहुला: सेना: पार्थषो5भ्येति सात्यकि:,'पार्थ! जैसे सिंह गायोंके बीचसे अनायास ही निकल जाता है, उसी प्रकार कौरव- सेनाके घेरेसे छूटकर निकला हुआ यह सात्यकि बहुत-सी शत्रु-सेनाओंका संहार करके इधर आ रहा है
kurusainyād vimukto vai siṁho madhyād gavām iva | nihatya bahulāḥ senāḥ pārtho 'bhyeti sātyakiḥ ||
Sanjaya said: “Freed from the Kuru army’s encirclement—like a lion slipping out from the midst of cattle—Sātyaki, after cutting down many enemy forces, is now advancing toward Pārtha (Arjuna).”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores courageous resolve and loyal duty in crisis: Sātyaki breaks through overwhelming opposition to reach and support Arjuna, suggesting that steadfast commitment to one’s righteous alliance and responsibility can demand fearless action even amid the harsh ethics of war.
Sanjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Sātyaki has escaped the Kaurava troops’ encirclement. Like a lion emerging from a herd of cattle, he has cut down many enemy soldiers and is now moving toward Arjuna (Pārtha).