Shloka 55
अलंबलवधः (Alaṃbala-vadhaḥ) / The Slaying of Alaṃbala and the Advance toward Karṇa
सारथेस्तु रथस्थस्य काश्यपेयस्य विस्मिता: । नभस्तलगताश्षैव देवगन्धर्वदानवा:,रथपर बैठे हुए कश्यपगोत्रीय सारथि दारुकके रथ-संचालनकी गमन, प्रत्यागमन, आवर्तन, मण्डल तथा संनिवर्तन आदि विविध रीतियोंसे आकाशमें खड़े हुए देवता, गन्धर्व और दानव भी चकित हो उठे तथा कर्ण और सात्यकिके युद्धको देखनेके लिये अत्यन्त सावधान हो गये। वे दोनों बलवान् वीर रणभूमिमें एक-दूसरेसे स्पर्धा रखते हुए अपने-अपने मित्रके लिये पराक्रम दिखा रहे थे
sārathes tu rathasthasya kāśyapeyasya vismitāḥ | nabhastalagatāś caiva devagandharvadānavāḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Bahkan para dewa, Gandharwa, dan Dānawa yang berdiri di angkasa tercengang menyaksikan kepiawaian sais keturunan Kaśyapa yang duduk di atas kereta—maju dan mundurnya, putaran, gerak melingkar, serta manuver-manuver perang lainnya. Dengan perhatian yang kian tajam mereka menatap duel Karṇa dan Sātyaki. Kedua kesatria perkasa itu, saling menantang di medan laga, memperlihatkan keberanian demi kepentingan sahabat masing-masing.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that in war, excellence is not only in weaponry but also in disciplined skill and presence of mind—here embodied by the charioteer’s precise maneuvers. It also frames valor as being exercised in service of one’s chosen side, showing how loyalty and competitive spirit drive warriors to display their best, even under the gaze of higher witnesses.
Sañjaya describes a spectacular display of chariot-control by a Kaśyapa-line charioteer, so impressive that celestial beings watching from the sky are amazed. Their attention then fixes on the intense duel between Karṇa and Sātyaki, who compete fiercely on the battlefield to prove their prowess for their respective allies.