Shloka 19
Droṇa Interdicts Sātyaki; Sātyaki’s Breakthrough and Duel with Kṛtavarmā (द्रोण-निवारणम्, सात्यकि-प्रवेशः, कृतवर्म-युद्धम्)
यां तु कृष्णार्जुनौ सेनां यां सात्यकिवृकोदरौ । रक्षेरन् को नु तां युध्येच्चमूमन्यत्र कौरवै:,श्रीकृष्ण, अर्जुन, सात्यकि तथा भीमसेन जिस सेनाकी रक्षा करते हों, उसके साथ कौरवोंके सिवा दूसरा कौन युद्ध कर सकता है?
yāṃ tu kṛṣṇārjunau senāṃ yāṃ sātyakivṛkodarau | rakṣeran ko nu tāṃ yudhyec camūm anyatra kauravaiḥ ||
Sañjaya dit : «Cette armée que protègent Kṛṣṇa et Arjuna, et aussi Sātyaki et Vṛkodara (Bhīma)… qui donc, hormis les Kaurava, pourrait affronter une telle troupe sur le champ de bataille ?»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the near-invincibility of an army guarded by exemplary champions—Kṛṣṇa’s guidance, Arjuna’s mastery, and the strength of Sātyaki and Bhīma—implying that only those bound by their own duty and commitment (the Kauravas) would dare oppose it despite the odds.
Sañjaya, reporting the battlefield to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, emphasizes the formidable protection around the Pāṇḍava forces. He frames the Kauravas’ continued engagement as extraordinary, since facing a host defended by these warriors would deter any other opponent.