Shloka 35
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 94: Sātyaki–Sudarśana Yuddha (सात्यकि–सुदर्शन युद्ध)
त॑ दृष्टवा तु तथा यान्तं शूरो राजा श्रुतायुध:
taṁ dṛṣṭvā tu tathā yāntaṁ śūro rājā śrutāyudhaḥ
Melihatnya maju demikian, raja perkasa Śrutāyudha pun mencermati; tekadnya mengeras ketika arus pertempuran kian menekan. Dalam perang, gerak lawan yang tertangkap mata seketika membentuk niat dan tindakan, sering membuat kewajiban dan dendam mengungguli pengekangan diri.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how a warrior-king’s ethical and strategic stance in battle is triggered by perception: seeing an opponent advance can crystallize resolve. It reflects the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension between duty (kṣatriya-dharma) and the escalating compulsions of war.
Sañjaya narrates that King Śrutāyudha observes someone advancing in a particular manner. This observation serves as a narrative pivot, preparing for Śrutāyudha’s ensuing reaction or engagement in the ongoing battle scene.