Shloka 11
अध्याय १४६ — निशायां सात्यकिदुर्योधनयुद्धम् / Chapter 146 — Night Battle: Sātyaki and Duryodhana; Śakuni’s Encirclement of Arjuna
तां दृष्टवा देवकीं शूरो रथस्थां पुरुषर्षभ । नामृष्यत महातेजा: सोमदत्त: शिनेर्नूप,नरश्रेष्ठ! नरेश्वर! उस समय महातेजस्वी शूरवीर सोमदत्तने देवकी देवीको रथपर बैठे हुए देख शिनिके पराक्रमको सहन नहीं किया
sañjaya uvāca |
tāṃ dṛṣṭvā devakīṃ śūro rathasthāṃ puruṣarṣabha |
nāmṛṣyata mahātejāḥ somadattaḥ śiner nṛpa ||
Sañjaya said: O bull among men, O king—when the mighty warrior Somadatta saw Devakī seated upon a chariot, he could not endure it. His great splendor flared up in intolerance at Śini’s prowess and the advantage it had gained in the battle’s unfolding.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a common battlefield ethical tension: when pride and rivalry dominate, a warrior’s judgment can be driven by intolerance of another’s success rather than by disciplined adherence to duty. It implicitly warns that unchecked krodha (anger) and asūyā (jealous intolerance) can distort kṣatriya conduct.
Sañjaya reports that Somadatta, seeing Devakī on a chariot and perceiving Śini’s advantage or prowess in that situation, becomes unable to tolerate it—signaling a surge of hostile resolve and the escalation of combat intent.