Shloka 8
उपायैः पूर्ववधकथनम् / Strategic Justifications for Prior Eliminations
संजय उवाच सायाह्रे सैन्धवं हत्वा राज्ञा पार्थ: समेत्य च | सात्यकिश्न महेष्वासो द्रोणमेवाभ्यधावताम्,संजयने कहा--राजन! सायंकाल सिंधुराज जयद्रथका वध करके राजा युधिष्ठिरसे मिलकर कुन्तीकुमार अर्जुन और महाथनुर्थर सात्यकि दोनोंने द्रोणाचार्यपर ही धावा किया
sañjaya uvāca sāyāhre saindhavaṁ hatvā rājñā pārthaḥ sametya ca | sātyakiś ca mahēṣvāso droṇam evābhyadhāvatām ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Wahai Raja, menjelang senja, setelah membunuh pangeran Sindhu (Jayadratha), Pārtha (Arjuna) bertemu dengan sang raja (Yudhiṣṭhira). Lalu Arjuna dan pemanah agung Sātyaki menerjang langsung ke arah Droṇācārya.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya resolve and the ethical tension of war: even after fulfilling a vowed act (Jayadratha’s slaying), the duty to protect one’s side and confront the chief threat (Droṇa) continues. It underscores steadfastness, loyalty to allies, and strategic focus amid grief and triumph.
Near evening, Arjuna has killed Jayadratha and then reunites with Yudhiṣṭhira. Immediately afterward, Arjuna and Sātyaki together charge directly at Droṇācārya, indicating a renewed push against the Kaurava commander.