Shloka 21
अध्याय ५३ — रणमेघोपमा सेना-वर्णना तथा सुषेण-वधोत्तर प्रतिक्रिया
Battle-as-Storm Imagery and the Aftermath of Suṣeṇa’s Fall
शारद्वतशरै्ग्रस्तं क्लिश्यमानं महाबल: । चित्रकेतुसुतो राजन् सुकेतुस्त्वरितो ययौ
śāradvataśarair grastaṃ kliśyamānaṃ mahābalaḥ | citraketusuto rājan suketus tvarito yayau ||
Sañjaya said: “O King, seeing Śikhaṇḍī seized and tormented by the arrows of Śāradvata (Kṛpa), the mighty Suketu—son of Citraketu—swiftly advanced to his aid.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a kṣatriya ideal: prompt support of comrades under attack. Ethical emphasis lies in loyalty and readiness to protect an ally, even when the situation is perilous.
Śikhaṇḍī is being severely wounded and pressed by Kṛpa’s (Śāradvata’s) arrows. Observing this, Suketu—Citraketu’s son—quickly moves forward to assist Śikhaṇḍī.