Shloka 7
द्रोणपर्व — अध्याय 128: दुर्योधनस्य परसेनाप्रवेशः
Duryodhana’s Incursion and the Tumult of Battle
अपश्यन् सात्यकिं चापि वृष्णीनां प्रवरं रथम् । चिन्तयाभिपरीताज्े धर्मराजो युधिषछ्िर:,वृष्णिवंशके प्रमुख महारथी सात्यकिको भी न देखनेके कारण धर्मराज युधिष्ठिरका एक-एक अंग चिन्ताकी आगसे संतप्त हो उठा
apaśyan sātyakiṃ cāpi vṛṣṇīnāṃ pravaraṃ ratham | cintayābhiparītāṅgo dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ||
Sañjaya dit : Ne voyant pas non plus Sātyaki — le plus éminent des guerriers de char parmi les Vṛṣṇi — Dharmarāja Yudhiṣṭhira fut submergé d’un sombre pressentiment ; tout son être semblait saisi et brûlé par l’inquiétude. Dans l’atmosphère morale de la guerre, l’absence d’un allié juste devient un signe de péril, ébranlant jusqu’au sang-froid du roi le plus constant.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a dharma-grounded leader can be shaken when a key righteous ally is missing; the verse highlights the ethical burden of command—responsibility for others makes the mind vulnerable to fear, and vigilance must accompany righteousness in war.
Sañjaya reports that Yudhiṣṭhira cannot see Sātyaki on the battlefield. Because Sātyaki is a foremost Vṛṣṇi chariot-warrior and an important supporter, his absence triggers intense anxiety in Yudhiṣṭhira, who fears misfortune or defeat.