अथान्यं रथमास्थाय सात्यकि: सत्यविक्रम: । पीडितान् पाण्डवान् दृष्टवा मद्रराजवशंगतान्
athānyaṃ ratham āsthāya sātyakiḥ satyavikramaḥ | pīḍitān pāṇḍavān dṛṣṭvā madrarājavaśaṃgatān ||
Sañjaya said: Then Sātyaki, whose valor never failed, mounted another chariot. Seeing the Pāṇḍavas hard-pressed and brought under the sway of the king of Madra, he prepared to act—moved by loyalty to allies and the warrior’s duty to protect those overwhelmed in battle.
संजय उवाच
In the midst of chaos, dharma expresses itself as timely responsibility: a warrior-leader does not remain passive when allies are overwhelmed. Sātyaki’s swift decision embodies steadfast courage and protective loyalty, emphasizing action guided by duty rather than despair.
Sañjaya reports that Sātyaki changes to another chariot and, seeing the Pāṇḍavas being severely pressed and effectively dominated by the king of Madra (Śalya), moves to intervene in the battle situation.