Shloka 97
Śaineya’s Breakthrough and Reunion with Arjuna (शैनेयस्य समागमः)
शिखण्डिनं तथा ज्ञात्वा हार्दिक्यदशरपीडितम् । अपोवाह रणाद यन्ता त्वरमाणो महारथम्,महारथी शिखण्डीको कृतवर्माके बाणोंसे पीड़ित जान सारथि बड़ी उतावलीके साथ उसे रणभूमिसे बाहर ले गया
śikhaṇḍinaṃ tathā jñātvā hārdikyadaśarāpīḍitam | apovāha raṇād yantā tvaramāṇo mahāratham ||
Sañjaya dit : Reconnaissant que Śikhaṇḍin avait été cruellement accablé par les volées de flèches de Hārdikya (Kṛtavarman, fils de Hṛdīka), le cocher, dans une hâte extrême, emmena ce grand guerrier de char hors du combat.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in war, duty includes discernment and protection: when a warrior is overwhelmed, withdrawing him can be a responsible act aligned with preserving life and future capacity, and it highlights the charioteer’s role as a guardian and strategist, not merely a driver.
Śikhaṇḍin is heavily wounded/pressed by Kṛtavarman’s arrow-barrage; seeing this, Śikhaṇḍin’s charioteer quickly drives him away from the battlefield to safety.