Shloka 11
Adhyāya 21 — Duryodhanasya bāṇavarṣaḥ
Duryodhana’s Arrow-Storm and the Dust-Obscured Engagements
फिर तो उत्तम अस्त्र-शस्त्र धारण करनेवाले, रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ, महापराक्रमी, धनुर्धर वीर सात्वतवंशी सात्यकि और कृतवर्मा एक-दूसरेपर धावा करने लगे ।। पाण्डवा: सहपज्चाला याधाश्षान्ये नृपोत्तमा: । प्रेक्षका: समपद्यन्त तयोघोरे समागमे
sañjaya uvāca | tataḥ paramāstra-śastra-dhāriṇaḥ rathināṃ śreṣṭhā mahāparākramāḥ dhanurdharā vīrāḥ sātvata-vaṃśyau sātyakiś ca kṛtavarmā ca parasparaṃ samāhantuṃ pracakramatuḥ || pāṇḍavāḥ saha-pañcālā yādavāś cānye nṛpottamāḥ | prekṣakāḥ samapadyanta tayor ghore samāgame ||
Sañjaya said: Then the heroic bowmen Sātyaki and Kṛtavarmā—both of the Sātvata line, foremost among chariot-warriors, bearing excellent weapons and blazing with great prowess—rushed at one another to strike. The Pāṇḍavas, together with the Pañcālas, the Yādavas, and other best of kings, gathered as spectators to witness their dreadful encounter.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the tragic intensity of war: even renowned heroes of noble lineage rush into mutual harm, while allied kings watch. It invites reflection on the ethical weight of violence and how fame, duty, and rivalry can eclipse restraint.
Sātyaki and Kṛtavarmā, both celebrated chariot-warriors, charge at each other to fight. The Pāṇḍavas, Pañcālas, Yādavas, and other kings assemble as spectators to witness their fierce clash.