Shloka 55
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
सौमदत्तिवधात् क्रुद्धों दृष्टया सात्यकिमाहवे
saumadattivadhāt kruddho dṛṣṭvā sātyakim āhave
Enraged at the slaying of Saumadatti, and seeing Sātyaki on the battlefield, he was seized by wrath and turned his attention toward him.
सयजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how grief and perceived injustice in war quickly harden into krodha (anger), driving retaliatory intent; it implicitly warns that vengeance perpetuates violence and clouds discernment even among warriors bound by kṣatriya codes.
Sañjaya reports that, after Saumadatti (Bhūriśravas) has been slain, a warrior becomes furious; upon spotting Sātyaki in the midst of battle, he focuses his wrath toward him, setting up a retaliatory confrontation.