Shloka 17
त्रिपुरदाह-इतिहासः
Tripura-destruction exemplum and counsel to Śalya
पुत्रस्तु तव सम्भ्रान्तो विवित्सो रथमारुहत् । शतानीको<पि त्वरित: प्रतिविन्ध्यरथं गत:,आपका पुत्र श्रुतकर्मा घबरा गया था। वह विवित्सुके रथपर जा चढ़ा और शतानीक भी तुरंत ही प्रतिविन्ध्यके रथपर चला गया
putras tu tava sambhrānto vivitso ratham āruhat | śatānīko 'pi tvaritaḥ prativindhya-rathaṃ gataḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Your son, shaken and confused, mounted the chariot of Vivitsu; and Śatānīka too, in haste, went to the chariot of Prativindhya. The scene shows warriors seeking immediate protection and tactical advantage amid the pressure of battle, where fear and urgency drive swift alliances on the field.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the turmoil of war, inner steadiness is tested: panic leads one to seek immediate shelter and support. The verse implicitly contrasts composure with confusion, highlighting the ethical demand on warriors to act with presence of mind even under fear.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that his son (identified in the accompanying gloss as Śrutakarmā) became alarmed and climbed onto Vivitsu’s chariot, while Śatānīka quickly went to Prativindhya’s chariot—suggesting rapid regrouping and protection amid a dangerous turn in the fight.