Shloka 32
Adhyāya 143: Nocturnal duels—Nākuli and Citraseṇa; Vṛṣasena’s assault; Duḥśāsana vs Prativindhya
परिश्रान्ता हयाश्वास्य हययन्ता च माधव । न च भूरिश्रवा: श्रान्त: ससहायश्व केशव,“इसके सिवा जयद्रथका भी वध करना है। इधर सूर्यदेव अस्ताचलपर जा रहे हैं। माधव! ये महाबाहु सात्यकि इस समय थककर अल्पप्राण हो रहे हैं। इनके घोड़े और सारथि भी थक गये हैं। किंतु केशव! भूरिश्रवा और उनके सहायक थके नहीं हैं
sañjaya uvāca | pariśrāntā hayāśvāsya hayayantā ca mādhava | na ca bhūriśravāḥ śrāntaḥ sasahāyaś ca keśava ||
Sanjaya said: “Madhava, Satyaki’s horses and his charioteer are exhausted; he himself is worn out and breathing faintly. Yet, O Keshava, Bhurishravas—together with his supporters—shows no fatigue. And besides this, Jayadratha too must be slain, even as the Sun is already moving toward the western horizon.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and strategic weight of time in dharmic warfare: vows and objectives (such as the necessity of Jayadratha’s death before sunset) intensify moral pressure, while compassion and realism are required when allies are exhausted and the enemy remains strong.
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that Satyaki and his chariot team are spent, whereas Bhurishravas and his supporters are still vigorous. The Sun is nearing sunset, underscoring the urgent need—linked to the day’s vow and battle-plan—to accomplish Jayadratha’s slaying in time.