Shloka 18
Droṇa Interdicts Sātyaki; Sātyaki’s Breakthrough and Duel with Kṛtavarmā (द्रोण-निवारणम्, सात्यकि-प्रवेशः, कृतवर्म-युद्धम्)
न हि रक्षन्ति राजानो युध्यन्तो जीवितं रणे । चमूं विगाहा पार्थानां युध्यन्ते क्षत्रियर्षभा:,राजालोग रणक्षेत्रमें युद्ध करते हुए अपने जीवनकी रक्षा नहीं कर रहे हैं। वे क्षत्रियशिरोमणि नरेश पाण्डवोंकी सेनामें घुसकर युद्ध करते हैं
na hi rakṣanti rājāno yudhyanto jīvitaṃ raṇe | camūṃ vigāhya pārthānāṃ yudhyante kṣatriyarṣabhāḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Di medan perang, para raja yang bertempur tidak sungguh-sungguh menjaga nyawa mereka. Para ksatria unggul itu menerobos masuk ke dalam barisan tempur Pārtha (Pāṇḍava) dan terus berperang.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores kṣatriya-dharma: true warriors do not cling to personal safety in righteous combat. Entering the enemy host signifies resolve and acceptance of mortal risk as part of duty and honor.
Sañjaya describes the kings and leading kṣatriya fighters charging into the Pāṇḍavas’ army formation and continuing the fight, emphasizing the intensity of the engagement and the willingness of warriors to stake their lives.