Shloka 713
Śalya-hatānantarāṇi: Madrarāja-padānugānāṃ praskandana and the Pandava counter-encirclement (शल्यहतानन्तराणि—मद्रराजपदानुगानां प्रस्कन्दनम्)
हार्दिक्य: सात्यकिश्रैव सिंहाविव बलोत्कटौ । श्रेष्ठ घोड़ोंवाले वे महामनस्वी वृष्णिवंशी वीर सात्यकि और कृतवर्मा दो बलोन्मत्त सिंहोंके समान एक-दूसरेसे भिड़ गये
sañjaya uvāca | hārdikyaḥ sātyakiś caiva siṃhāv iva balotkaṭau | śreṣṭha-ghoḍānvitau vīrau mahāmanasvī vṛṣṇivaṃśyau parasparaṃ samabhidudruvatuḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Hārdikya (Kṛtavarmā) and Sātyaki—both mighty as lions in their ferocity—those two high-souled heroes of the Vṛṣṇi line, mounted on excellent horses, charged at one another and clashed in direct combat.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension of kṣatriya-duty: valor and steadfastness are praised, yet war’s momentum can force even noble, clan-related heroes into mutual violence, reminding readers that unchecked conflict consumes virtue along with life.
Sanjaya describes a direct clash: Sātyaki and Hārdikya (Kṛtavarmā), both Vṛṣṇi heroes on fine horses, rush at each other like two powerful lions and engage in fierce combat.