Shloka 17
Kṛtavarmā–Sātyaki Chariot Duel and Kaurava Morale Shock (कृतवर्म-सात्यकि-द्वैरथम्)
दृष्टवा55पतन्तं सहसा तु नागं धृष्टद्युम्न: स्वरथाच्छीघ्रमेव । गदां प्रगृह्मोग्रजवेन वीरो भूमिं प्रपन्नो भयविह्वलाड्र:,हाथीको सहसा आक्रमण करते देख वीर धृष्टद्युम्न हाथमें गदा ले शीघ्र ही अत्यन्त वेगपूर्वक अपने रथसे कूदकर पृथ्वीपर आ गये। उस समय उनके सारे अंग भयसे व्याकुल हो रहे थे
dṛṣṭvā patantaṃ sahasā tu nāgaṃ dhṛṣṭadyumnaḥ svarathāc chīghram eva | gadāṃ pragṛhya ugrajavena vīro bhūmiṃ prapanno bhayavihvalāṅgaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing the elephant suddenly charging in, the warrior Dhṛṣṭadyumna swiftly leapt down from his chariot. Grasping his mace, he came to the ground with fierce speed—his limbs trembling in fear as the onrushing beast bore down.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a renowned warrior experiences fear; the ethical emphasis is not on being fearless, but on responding with presence of mind and readiness to act. Dhṛṣṭadyumna’s quick descent and taking up the mace shows disciplined action amid danger—an aspect of kṣatriya duty in war.
Sañjaya reports that Dhṛṣṭadyumna sees an elephant suddenly charging. He immediately jumps down from his chariot, grips his mace, and takes position on the ground, though his body is shaken by fear.