Shloka 19
Sātyaki’s Assurance and the Protection of Dharmarāja (सात्यकिवचनम्—धर्मराजरक्षणविचारः)
अथ जग्राह गोविन्दो रश्मीन् रश्मिविदां वर: । मातलिवरासवस्येव वृत्रं हन्तुं प्रयास्यत:,उन घोड़ोंकी रास पकड़नेकी कलामें सर्वश्रेष्ठ भगवान् गोविन्दने रथकी बागडोर अपने हाथमें ले ली, ठीक उसी प्रकार जैसे, वृत्रासुरका वध करनेके लिये जानेवाले इन्द्रके रथकी बागडोर मातलिने पकड़ी थी
atha jagrāha govindo raśmīn raśmividāṁ varaḥ | mātalīvarāsavasyeva vṛtraṁ hantuṁ prayāsyataḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Then Govinda—foremost among those skilled in handling the reins—took the chariot’s reins into his own hands, just as Mātali once held the reins of Indra’s chariot when Indra set out to slay Vṛtra.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that righteous aims in conflict still require disciplined technique and role-clarity: mastery over the ‘reins’ symbolizes controlled action, coordination, and steadiness—qualities that support dharma even in warfare.
Sañjaya describes Govinda (Kṛṣṇa) taking up the chariot reins, emphasizing his expert charioteering, and compares him to Mātali holding Indra’s reins when Indra went to slay Vṛtra.