Shloka 50
अध्याय ६० — कर्णस्य पाञ्चाल-सोमक-निग्रहः
Karna’s Suppression of the Panchala–Somaka Forces
सात्यकिस्तु रणे राजंस्तावकानामनीकिनीम् । अभिदुद्राव वेगेन ततोडनीकमभज्यत
sātyakis tu raṇe rājan tāvakānām anīkinīm | abhidudrāva vegena tato 'nīkam abhajyata ||
Sañjaya dit : Ô roi, au cœur de la mêlée, Sātyaki fondit à pleine vitesse sur ton armée. Frappée par l’élan de sa charge, cette division se disloqua—montrant qu’en guerre, même une force disciplinée peut céder devant une résolution intrépide et un élan supérieur.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a recurring Mahābhārata insight: in righteous warfare, courage, skill, and decisive action can overturn numerical strength. It also underscores the ethical weight of kṣatriya-dharma—steadfastness and initiative in the face of danger—while warning that armies without cohesion can quickly collapse.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Sātyaki, fighting on the Pāṇḍava side, rushed swiftly into the Kaurava host. His rapid assault causes a Kaurava troop-division/formation to break apart.