Shloka 18
Droṇa Interdicts Sātyaki; Sātyaki’s Breakthrough and Duel with Kṛtavarmā (द्रोण-निवारणम्, सात्यकि-प्रवेशः, कृतवर्म-युद्धम्)
न हि रक्षन्ति राजानो युध्यन्तो जीवितं रणे । चमूं विगाहा पार्थानां युध्यन्ते क्षत्रियर्षभा:,राजालोग रणक्षेत्रमें युद्ध करते हुए अपने जीवनकी रक्षा नहीं कर रहे हैं। वे क्षत्रियशिरोमणि नरेश पाण्डवोंकी सेनामें घुसकर युद्ध करते हैं
na hi rakṣanti rājāno yudhyanto jīvitaṃ raṇe | camūṃ vigāhya pārthānāṃ yudhyante kṣatriyarṣabhāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: In battle, kings who are engaged in fighting do not truly safeguard their own lives. Those bull-like heroes among kṣatriyas plunge into the Pāṇḍavas’ battle-array and fight on, accepting the mortal risk that warfare demands.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores kṣatriya-dharma: true warriors do not cling to personal safety in righteous combat. Entering the enemy host signifies resolve and acceptance of mortal risk as part of duty and honor.
Sañjaya describes the kings and leading kṣatriya fighters charging into the Pāṇḍavas’ army formation and continuing the fight, emphasizing the intensity of the engagement and the willingness of warriors to stake their lives.