Shloka 16
भीष्मस्य मण्डलव्यूहः — Bhīṣma’s Maṇḍala Battle-Formation and the Opening Engagements
प्रामुड्चत् पुडुखसंयुक्तान् शरानाशीविषोपमान् | संजय कहते हैं--राजन्! महाबाहु सात्यकि युद्धमें उन््मत्त होकर लड़नेवाले थे। उन्होंने युद्धमें भार सहन करनेमें समर्थ और परम उत्तम धनुषको बलपूर्वक खींचकर विषधर सर्पके समान भयानक पंखयुक्त बाण छोड़े
sañjaya uvāca | prāmuñcat pṛthukasaṁyuktān śarān āśīviṣopamān |
Sañjaya dijo: Oh rey, Sātyaki, el de poderosos brazos, combatía con fiero ardor. Tensó con fuerza su excelente arco—capaz de soportar la carga de la guerra—y soltó flechas anchas, bien ajustadas, terribles como serpientes venenosas.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dual nature of martial excellence: disciplined strength and skill are praised in a kṣatriya context, yet their expression in war manifests as lethal force. It invites reflection on how dharma in battle can still carry grave human cost.
Sañjaya reports to the king that Sātyaki, fighting intensely, draws his powerful bow and shoots broad, well-made arrows described as deadly like venomous snakes—signaling an escalation of combat and the terror produced by expert archery.