Shloka 23
Bhūriśravas–Sātyaki Saṃvāda and Duel; Arjuna’s Intervention (भूरिश्रवाः–सात्यकि संवादः, युद्धम्, अर्जुन-हस्तक्षेपः)
सात्वतो निशितैर्बाणैर्गजानीकमयोधयत् | पर्वतानिव वर्षेण तपान्ते जलदो महान्,सात्यकिने भी पैने बाणोंद्वारा गजसेनाके साथ युद्ध प्रारम्भ किया, मानो वर्षाकालमें महान् मेघ पर्वतोंपर जलकी धारा बरसा रहा हो
sātvato niśitair bāṇair gajānīkam ayodhayat | parvatān iva varṣeṇa tapānte jalado mahān |
Sañjaya dit : Le héros Sātvata (Sātyaki), armé de flèches tranchantes comme des rasoirs, se mit à combattre le corps d’éléphants—tel un grand nuage de pluie, à la fin de l’été, déversant des torrents sur les montagnes. L’image souligne la puissance irrésistible, presque impersonnelle, de la prouesse guerrière déchaînée dans la crise du dharma qu’est la guerre.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of resolute action in battle and uses a natural simile to frame martial force as overwhelming and inevitable. Ethically, it reflects how, once war is joined in a dharmic conflict, disciplined prowess is portrayed as a duty-driven force rather than personal cruelty.
Sañjaya describes Sātyaki (called the Sātvata) launching a fierce attack with sharp arrows against the enemy elephant-corps. His assault is compared to a massive rain-cloud at summer’s end drenching mountains—suggesting continuous, heavy volleys and unstoppable momentum.