Shloka 74
अलंबलवधः (Alaṃbala-vadhaḥ) / The Slaying of Alaṃbala and the Advance toward Karṇa
द्रौणिश्व कृतवर्मा च तथैवान्ये महारथा:,अश्वत्थामा, कृतवर्मा, अन्यान्य महारथी तथा सैकड़ों क्षत्रियशिरोमणि सात्यकिद्धारा एकमात्र धनुषसे परास्त कर दिये गये। सात्यकि धर्मराजका प्रिय करना और परलोकपर विजय पाना चाहते थे
Drauṇiś ca Kṛtavarmā ca tathaivānye mahārathāḥ; Aśvatthāmā Kṛtavarmā anye ca mahārathāḥ tathā—Sātyakināikena dhanuṣā parājitāḥ. Sātyaki dharmarājasya priyaṃ kartum, paralokapar vijayaṃ ca prāptum aicchat.
Sanjaya said: Droni (Ashvatthama) and Kritavarma, along with other great chariot-warriors, were driven back; indeed, many eminent Kshatriya champions were overcome by Satyaki with his single bow. Satyaki fought to please Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira) and to win victory in the next world as well—seeking merit through steadfast loyalty and righteous purpose amid the violence of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in warfare, intention and allegiance to dharma are emphasized: Sātyaki’s valor is framed not merely as physical conquest but as action aimed at pleasing a righteous king (Dharmarāja) and earning spiritual merit—linking duty, loyalty, and the moral consequences of action.
Sañjaya reports that Sātyaki, wielding his bow, overwhelms prominent Kaurava-side warriors such as Aśvatthāmā (Droṇi) and Kṛtavarmā, along with other great fighters, and that Sātyaki’s motivation is to serve Yudhiṣṭhira and secure victory/merit in the next world.